The Competition Poem by anais vionet

The Competition

Rating: 4.5


I pound the pillow, curse the clock and mock injunctions to rest.

The sun finally rises and its rays slantwise fall through the curtains as I dry my hair.

A meal, like a forced dose, we soak ourselves in wasted, nervous time.

Finally! We arrive at the competition...

Tension is here and tireless pressure.

The players waiting stiff as straw, tongues playing over dry lips.

Teachers and coaches unapologetic in their pallor.

Music drifts behind us and occasionally gasps as imperfections play like daring circus tricks.

The sparkling prodigy returns disappointed, grimace of a smile, stricken, he stares away as we search for words, oh! clumsy, unrepairable prince!

Suddenly, its time and I wonder why we are hurrying, feeling weak, momentarily frightened to go there.

On this stage in this great, hushed hall, enormity suddenly dawns with mass enough to crush me.

At last I sit before this odd Steinway music machine - my dearest mechanical friend.

A tremble resisted - the reward of mortal afternoons - endless practices fruit.

Eyes closed I prepare my best self - pushing all fear, all doubt, to the margins - and begin.

I hope, to recreate, one note at a time, Chopin's ancient impact - with hands flying, like tethered birds, I hammer out his timeless melody explosions, his streams of crazily exact math exam fiery semiquaver motions.. then, almost suddenly, I'm done.

I stand, joyously, nearly crying.. The world hasn't ended.

Thursday, December 3, 2020
Topic(s) of this poem: competition ,music,teen
POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
if competition id good for the soul, it can still be hard on the nerves=]
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Khairul Ahsan 04 December 2020

Loved your 'Poet's Notes' too.

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Khairul Ahsan 04 December 2020

The poem got better and better as it advanced, and I truly loved and enjoyed the final climax. Well done! Can you turn a poem into a song? If you can, I may try writing some lyrics for you.

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David Wood 03 December 2020

A beautifully crafted poem of intense depth and character. A delight to read, thank you.

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Kostas Lagos 03 December 2020

I hate competitions but I love this poem!

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Deluke Muwanigwa 03 December 2020

You describe so vividly. We are glad you survived the butterflies. I remember in school i had to stand in front of my peers to give a speech. It was nerve wracking. So i started off by saying " I am so nervous" and after i said that i relaxed. But the teacher who was grading us faulted me for saying that. I guess the more you do the more you relax. So you homework is to get your mom to stop everything and be the audience. No fighting please.

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anais vionet

anais vionet

Paris, France
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