“oh to be in the classroom learning”

To be in the classroom learning,
Courageous, determined to know
Everything about this, about that.
Namely fiction, namely fact.
My mind summons my drive full speed:
Study hard, I will succeed.
Yet directionless temptation I swear
Can unfortunately be found here, found there.
I, and my drive, and my invaluable teacher—
The one responsible for bestowing knowledge superior—
To listen, to take notes, to study hard, to succeed,
You will find that I am an effective student indeed!

—For Robert Louis Stevenson,
for teaching me the ideology of
“O to Be Up and Doing”.