(The Whims and Woes of a Marching Band Member)
Oy! Inspired by, of course, the first competition of my life. Just so you know, I'm in pit, so the experience is a little biased.
We wait and wait
Finally, they're done!
The band marches off
Their pit runs by us
Whispering "good luck" as they leave
We see our band at the other end of the field
They're all in black
Dark and deadly, ready to kill off all opponents
The judge announces our foreboding arrival
We run onto the field with Mike in the lead
Like racehorses
Quickly set up
Hear Aaron still marking time
There's still time
Our instruments set
Our mallets ready
Drum Major rises above
Surveying his band with inner pride
Deathly quiet as the band stops marching
Silence could have been lethal
Except for quiet roar of the crowd
We wait and wait some more
Maybe the crowd isn't as big as I thought
My expression is stoic
Must not show emotion
Must not show mistakes
Drum Major turns and salutes
What?! No warm-up?
God I'm so nervous
We play
The rest is a blur
The music almost automatic
Whoops! Wrong note there
Judges wind in and out
Murmuring to their tape recorders
Casting sidelong glances at us
Then making more comments, shaking their heads sadly
Uh oh
Must keep face straight!
Mike rolls the gong loud and strong
Marking the end of our fight
Drum Major comes down to join the band
They depart, like soldiers leaving a bloody battle
Uncertain about the future, yet hoping all the same
We run all the equipment off the field
We pass the next band's pit
They smile and give thumbs-up signs
We say "good luck"
But can't help smirking just a little
We leave the stadium
No longer being judged
Proud yet nervous
Hoping for the best
But knowing we kicked some serious butt!
~finis~