whoever "they" are, they say this when you sit down for this test:

<begin test>
read the question that corresponds to each number, and fill in the answer you think is best

i guess i did alright in school, even falling sometimes in with the dunces and dupes.  but i can answer questions well enough and jump through their hoops.  i can pick anagrams out of their alphabet soups.  i can act and react, add and subtract, decline and conjugate and support arguments in heated debate but i have to admit that there are forces in this world that distract and distract and distract.

<distraction concentration="60%">
oops.
</distraction>

six questions, six strings of words or numbers that ask for solution.  and six ways to be strung, strangled to stay in the lines as i make marks with a no. 2 pencil.  like this writing utensil, i feel made out of wood, strings of questions evaluating this puppet's potential.

<daydream value="music">
six strings.  i stare at this test and curse my understanding of fractions.  the D major chord i make out in the pattern provides for a suggestive and sublime distraction.
</daydream>

<concentration value="+2">
these tests; these tests; they provide no room for distraction.  
</concentration>

<realization>
and all i can think about is playing music.  

story of my life.
</daydream>
</test>
</realization>
</school>
</idealism>