The Odyssey of Ayyan by Ayyan

The Odyssey of Ayyan by Ayyan - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

Sing, oh Muse, the odyssey of Shakil’s son Ayyan,
with all it’s trials and tribulations.
Perhaps speak of his current struggles,
inundated with many college applications.

Son of immigrants,
much of the world he has seen.
A closet poet, unbeknownst to others;
There is more to Ayyan than may seem.

His passion is research,
but poetry is his favorite pastime.
Rap is his expressive outlet;
it’s more than combining words that rhyme.

He loves to run,
enjoys every lap.
But when it comes down to it,
his true love is rap.

He enjoys reading Shakespeare,
is an avid fan of Homer.
Therefore, isn’t “Ayyan the nerd”
an ill-conceived misnomer?

One day he hopes to make it big,
as a doctor or engineer.
But today he has truly made it,
finally able to conquer his fears.

Always has he used poetry
to vent his inner emotions.
Be it anger, frustration,
or proving an imagined lover his devotion.

His transcript may cause people to say,
“Boy, he’s a smart kid!”
But now they see the real Ayyan,
now that he has opened his poetic lid.

Showing this work to others,
he knows it won’t be easy.
Even the mere thought of it
gets him a little queasy.

As his high school years wane,
an exciting period will start anew.
One thing is certain when he reaches college,
his rap career isn’t through.

A National Merit Semifinalist;
he loves higher level math.
One would never know,
he also loves studying Achilles’ wrath.

A football fanatic,
his favorite player is Tom Brady.
His favorite rapper?
The real Slim Shady.

Conference champion in Track & Field,
a testament to his hard work and dedication.
Who knew this AP student,
had such an athletic inclination?

A ubiquitous tutor,
he enjoys the opportunity to teach.
Well-spoken,
He always gives the pre-game speech.

There is more than meets the eye,
the academics are but merely a bit.
Such was the story of Ayyan,
writer of the couplet.

If it was not obvious,
I have the same Muse as Homer.
The Iliad is a must,
for any and all book owners.

I highly advise all students read the Iliad,
it surely inspired me.
It brought the inner poet out,
out for the world to see.

I relate with Achilles,
and his love for his kin.
I cried with Andromache,
when her husband was killed for no sin.

The Iliad is a classic,
it teaches us about human nature and war.
It teaches us to change our ways,
or we will be in for much the same- and more.

Ergo,
the Iliad is the greatest work of all time.
It taught me much more,
than how to combine words and rhyme.