I am the precipice of choice.

At the age of twelve,

I quit band to focus my voice.

Now into music I delve deeper 

Give me a note and I’ll play it

Teach me rote and I’ll say it 

 

A music teacher or performer?

What would matter more

Eternal fame and glory

Or the lives of students former?

 

If I knew then what I know now

my choice would’ve been easy.

Music education! 

A salvation, from the standard test.

It's okay to do your best, miss the mark,,

While building chords giving heart.

 

I live in the shadow of choice.

I didn’t choose my condition

I seemed fine 

At the tender age of nine.

Yet blamed for my illness 

blunders of misinformation.

They don’t see my ambitions unwind

from the pricking of my fingers

Their hatred lingers,

“Your disease is a choice” 

In their uncaring voice.

 

Yet I am strong, never complacent .

I strive to advance so I can help others.

Now students have a choice to study creativity.

I want to be the best for them, and the best for me

so that we can fill our society with music 

escape from the condition. 

My guitar neck stained red with diabetic droppings.

I keep playing because I can’t imagine stopping.