My Violin
By Bruce Lansky
My mom brought home a violin
so I could learn to play.
She told me if I practiced hard
I’d play it well someday.
Without a single lesson,
I tried to play a song.
My fiddle squeaked, my fiddle squawked.
The notes came out all wrong.
My little brother fled the room.
Mom covered up her ears.
My puppy dog began to howl.
My sister was in tears.
My dad pulled out his wallet.
He handed me a ten.
He made me swear I’d never play
that violin again.
Copyright Credit: “My Violin.” © 1996 by Bruce Lansky. Reprinted from My Dog Ate My Homework! (© 1996, 2000 by Meadowbrook Creations) with permission from Meadowbrook Press.
Source: My Dog Ate My Homework! (Meadowbrook Press, 1996)