I Need to Slow It Down

While reading a book,
Or taking a test.
I really don’t give it,
My all and my best.

If it’s drawing or painting
A cat or a face.
I hurry it thru,
Like I’m running a race.

My teacher, he says,
“that the thing I must know.”
That life’s not a race.
It’s all right to go slow.

It’s not that I’m dumb
Or I don’t have the skill.
He says to slow down.
I have promised, “I Will.”

From this day, here forward,
I am slowing it down.
I’m going for all smiles.
No more faces that frown.