Excellence

It takes baby steps, I started out crawling at the ground Wanting to be different, so I walked into dozens of Audition rooms to distinguish My playing from others. Countless hours of rehearsing Three measures at a time. No, No—one measure at a time, To get that perfect ring To make them stop, and Admire the intricate detail I inlayed in every single note. For those 5 minutes in that room will Either have you craving more Or turning you into a million Pieces not worth hearing. So how bad do I really want it? For I want it bad enough that I will shove Those doubts, insecurities, the three hour practices, and The fear: losing Outside so that the only thing I am chanting inside is: success. They say that excellence happens When no one is looking—I Tested that hypothesis and the results Were terrifying. I did not Come back the same. I walked onto that stage knowing that What I did with my cello in that room was True excellence. Excellence is not a gift, It is putting your soul into what you do best— And my excellence is performing.