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