Erudite

They said to me that if I learn,
Someday I’ll run this ugly world...
Earn big and shine at every turn
In fancy cars and dressed to code,
Making a difference, buying things
And taking holidays abroad,
That’s what they told me as a kid:
That if I learn, I won’t be broke.

Let’s see us now: Diplomas? Loads...
Certifications to be King,
Rewards and nominations, more
That any man could ever dream,
Books read and cultures learned by heart
And understood in what they mean
Four different languages, self taught
And spoken well, no accent. Clean.

Where am I? Stuck between four walls
And pushed aside by brainless twits
Who got ahead by taking turns
At wiping footwear with their lips
And cannot count to save their lives,
But act as if I owe them things,
Dismissing me for being smart
Yet theirs to shit on as they please.

And they are right. While I was hooked
On books and lectures on the world,
I failed to see the actual truth
And understand how people work,
How people think; is all you need,
And they won’t teach you that in schools;
I’ve been through five, now look at me:
I’m fit to lead and run by fools.