Practice

The novice musician sits down to play
His scales and the piece for the simple joy
Of self-improvement. While he seeks to find
Mastery, only through the failures can
He progress—Only through perpetual
Repetition can he remember songs
That he systematic'lly practices
Until he's better than how he began.
He alters his gestures—articulates
His movements—away from what sounded wrong,
What discordant tones came forth to destroy
The precise sequence of notes he had planned.
Through gradual change, each sound will belong
To something greater: something to enjoy.

poem by Tim Stensloff
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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