I Will Not Succeed

I am good at things

I can do them well

I get praise for them

But it's not enough.

That's failure.

Because I play a solo

And get great applause

But another plays too

And gets the crowd to stand

That's failure.

I remind myself

Of the successes I've had

But I'm not having them

At this moment.

That's failure.

I have talent

I can do things well

But not as well

As others can.

That's failure.

This melancholy

We call pride

Is stamped out

Like a bug.

That's failure.

Others of less years

Of less effort, or

Less deserving

Exceed us.

That's failure.

I suppose I'll just

Continue through, still

Mediocre, when all i wanted

Was to be the best--

That's failure.