painting by Elaine Ralston

William Tell

mom told me to practice
everyday
at 5:00
after homework
before dinner

i did
but
couldn’t she hear
the strings
didn’t sing
they whined in pain
as if being tortured

i was

how could i explain
i’d be no better
with any bow

would she really want me
me
to take aim
of a target on her head
no matter how many years
she insisted
on practice

yet every night at 5:45
she’d ask
William
tell me the truth
did you practice


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