waiting for finals

i wait here for the rush that doesn't come
a trickle now and then the most bright
young women eager to get things right
or hoping that they have found the plum
rightest of answers instead of keeping mum
bring their fresh papers out into the light
i don't anticipate much sleep this night
what i will bear must reach the proper sum
there are the ones who will fall with a look
and those who could with patience say
what needs to be said and will maintain
their argument and go on to write a book
though i hope they will not on this day
i want to see the honest answers plain