Life of a Drum Major

Into the Band Room

On day one I go,

Worried whether I’ll be

A friend or a foe?

Will they listen?

Will they defy?

I don’t really know,

And I’m ready to cry.

I lead the band

Out to the field.

I ask for their silence

But they won’t yield.

I yell and scream,

“Just listen to me!”

They see me break

And laugh with glee.

They talk behind my back

The teacher leaves me alone.

She sees me get laughed at

From her imaginary throne.

She does not interfere

Or answer my pleas.

She just turns her back

And seems quite at ease.

These are my peers,

Yet I’m supposed to lead

While they ridicule and sneer

As they talk back at me.

Why do I deserve the brunt of their might?

What have I done

To make their fury take flight?

Day one is done,

But inside I know,

I still have

Eight more to go.

The torture continues

For four days more

Wondering how long

I can bear their scorn.

Day five is here

And I now have

A secret weapon

To combat their laughs.

I will not scream,

No, not one bit.

I’ll stand quiet

And I will not quit.

I stand strong before them,

Despite what they say,

Knowing all too well

They can’t break me today.

How did I do this,

You might ask?

I just breathed deeply

And let their words pass.

I realize something they do not:

The power I give

Is the power they’ve got.

By ignoring them

And their cruel fun,

I take back the power,

And, at last, I have won..