The Marching Band

Have you ever marveled, at the marching band?

At the fearless director, as he waves his guiding hands?

The music the instrumentalists play,

Do you ever wonder, what keeps them playing each day?

Why? Why do they play their melodies and song?

Why do they give days and years of practice so that one show wont go wrong?

Why? Even after the hatred, and inconsideration that football players and fans show the bands,

Do they continue to work, work, and work, that eventually they hear ungrateful clapping of hands?

Have you ever wondered?

Allow me to shed some light...

Light on the plight that these souls are forced to deal with due to those without right to do so.

I am in the marching band...

I know what the director simply asks as he waves his hand.

He asks for us to be heard by those who don't understand....

By those which do not know the work we do, or that we've made sacrifices grand.

He asks them to ponder, about the hope we still hold dear.

Even after the harassment, the heartache, and pain we go through each year.

He asks them to see,

To see that even after the odds have always been against us that we can still stand just as strong as the trees.

That though at times we disagree, we can still be all that we can be...

We, the members, whose hard work and dedication supplies entertainment,

We each have a dream.

A dream that although we are greatly misunderstood, we understand and need.

One that no one but us and the director can see.

The dream, that one day

We can be free from the harassment, and the labels,

Free from these, these ever turning tables,

Free from the bullies whom believe that no matter what may,

That they can drive our hearts into the cold, hard ground and we'd have nothing to say.

We, the members of the marching bands have something to say...

To all of those teachers, principals, and coaches whom like to joke and play, that we are weak,

To all of those athletes whom mock us each day,

About how the rhythms we play and the marching steps we take don't require much at all,

And they still don't even know what they are talking about....

Why are we overlooked? We ask.

Why are we not just as important as the football team on the field?

Aren't we all on the same team?

Is it a crime that this is what we believe?

How many games have we supported a so called "team"?

How many years have we been tormented by you to the point we want to scream?

How dare you! How dare you even think,

That lesser are we for stepping above the obstacles that you all place in our path!

For being the first at each game supporting you, and in leaving being the last.

Are we lesser than you for wanting to be heard?

For supporting you even though all you've ever done to us is hurt?

For marching and playing our songs for you to know you have fans? 

For not being able to do everything that you can?

Can you? We ask,

Can you play a song even after being insulted and daily harassed?

Even after having your spirit beaten on that very same day in each and every class?

Can you practice for days and weeks and months, wiping sweat off your brow,

For something not just for you, but those around you instead,

And crying tears each day, then continue to do your best?

You believe we feel nothing for our music and our song....

Yet our music and our song is all that keeps us moving along.

Our music is our voice,

Since our words you refuse to hear.

Our marching is our weapon,

Since violence is something for those without a care.

We, the members of the marching band,

Are not your toys or punching bags,

We are not the dirt under your feet, or dust of the sand.

We are your classmates, and equals,

Whether you like it ir not, you've not a clue, of the troubles you've brought.

And regardless how you look at it the only thing you do,

When you bully and harass us,

When you try to use brute strength and harsh words to break us,

Is make us stronger than you.

Because its something you wont have gone through.

And when you are grown with a child whose only chance,

Lay within a marching band,

You will understand just how much you had done to the marching band.

You will learn of what horrors your so called "team" causes,

Unless it all changes, for the better, for greatness...

Marching bands' members have hope,

They have love,

They have goodness and kindness,

Even though work must be done and troubles faced,

Their marching band is their fortress.

We are the marching band members.