The third category in the 2020 Love Letter to Your Thesis Competition was the Saddest letter! This year, the winner was Jonny Hardman with a letter that was difficult to define, with some humorous and reflective aspects, but with a sad and uncertain undercurrent.

“It’s Over?

You’re on my desk, all shiny and bound

A culmination of the hours I found

Will I miss you? I don’t know

But I think I’m ready for you to go

Are you right or wrong? We’ll soon find out

Until then I’ll stay riddled with doubt

Do I love you or hate you? I wish I knew

If I’m proud of myself – I’m not sure too

Maybe I’ve become depressed?

I’m not quite certain what to do next

My family tell me to take a break

For self-reflection I don’t want to take

Could it be that you’ll just flop

And only be useful as a door stop

When into your depths they plumb like a diver

As I struggle to speak through the stress of my viva

I’ll pick my nails as I wait outside

Hope to keep my head above the tide

Maybe you’re all there is to learn

And if you’re a dud… at least you can burn.“