a proper aspiration

a sound of music underneath the fire
what matters is not what we understand
but how to make our futures truly grand
and knowing just how high we might aspire
we go far past the limits even higher
than any person ever thought or planned
we beat our rivals and we beat the band
but get no praise from chorus or from choir
our faces do not show how much the strain
of keeping to the lines set out by plan
and staying within bounds set by hard law
have meant for those who have to endure pain
we keep on going always in the van
but inside keeping watch on every flaw