People were trying to tell him he was a genius,
a brilliant, sharp, and successful young man.
With every question he aced, and every problem he solved,
he became a prodigy,
praised for his impeccable knowledge.

As his success and popularity increased,
the people began to rely on him for questions, answers, and hope.
Their questions were thrown at him like oncoming darts,
as he rapidly answered their peculiar problems.
As quickly as his reputation peaked,
the pressure of perfection began to creep in.

Suddenly, this pressure he felt consumed him,
heavy and overwhelming.
He feared day-to-day of falling behind and what society would say—
oh how they’d tear him apart for just one slip-up,
one mistake–just one, and everything would be ruined.

Sleepless nights became sleepless weeks,
as his worries began to affect his public appearance,
his sharpness became sluggish and delayed;
his charming act cracked and began to fall apart into shambles.
As soon as they saw his depressing and vulnerable state,
they turned on him almost instantly.
Those heartwarming cheers turned into judgemental stares,
as they pierced him with looks of disapproval and bitterness.

Rumors spread; they laughed among themselves,
mocking and criticizing his silly mistake.
Their words like knives—
stabbing him over, over, and over again.
Everything that he was, thrown out for his human flaws.
Once known as a genius, now a brainless fool.