I lie face up upon my bed, veins pulsing in my eyes
as my laptop screen bathes the room in white light.

The deadline lies 8 hours from now, at midday,
the sole thing my sleep-deprived mind can remember.

The unfinished essay sits upon my screen
with towers of books splayed out all over my desk.

Alcohol swills and festers in my spleen
my karma for weeks of indulgence over diligence

Texts from home go unanswered, Skype calls left ignored.
I don't want people to see me, to know me, in this state.

The guilt and despair of my choices closes around my throat
and I choke while I drown in my tears of regret.