Cello Poem by Cati Walthall

I remember that day in 5th grade
I asked you 'Can I learn to play? '
You told me 'I have a cello
not the best but still playable'
It was my first day in strings class
and you forgot my cello
I didn't mind to much
because I was really full of thankful
I remember when I first got my cello
I went home and practice
and got really mad
saying 'How am I to know what string to play on? ! '
and grandma told me to be calm
To this day I crack up thinking about it
Such a simple little thing to get mad over
and now I understand it
I remember having private lessons
and you driving me over there
One day I think I even almost got into the wrong car
What an embarrassment!
Those were the days when I couldn't keep beat
Couldn't read notes
and didn't understand a thing
At the end of the year
We had another concert
I got a reward from you
(and its still hanging on my wall)
I hang it up proud
To remind myself how far I've gone
Then came 6th grade
I really didn't like the new teacher
She was so different than you
She wouldn't even let me take home my cello
and I thought she was crazy
I called you up
and you let me borrow another one
There was an end of the year concert
and I signed up for a camp scholarship
I found out I got it
and screamed as loud as I could!
7th grade I tried for IMEA
And I freaked you out by saying
'Guess who didn't get into IMEA! '
and then I was like 'Haha just kidding... I made it'
(I think I tried the joke on you again the next year
but it didn't work)
8th grade was the year I became sad
but you helped me get through it
and I thank you a lot
I tried out for IMEA on violin the next year
I made it again
You were so proud
Like a mother always is
9th grade is here
and all I can say is wow
Look at where I've been
and I look at where I am now
I've been first chair cellist
all thanks to you
I wouldn't be who I am today
Without your helping hands guiding my way through