The Final Tap
Tick! Tick! Tick! Tick!
The metronome beats merrily as we march in the morning.
We run a rough few laps and afterwards I rub my knee.
I try to be calm as I put on my drum from the case.
Practice goes well but ends faster than expected.
The band packs the truck, eats dinner, changes, and boards the bus.
We arrive at the competition calm and cool and go our separate ways.
We warm up while wishing for wonderful awards and memories.
The show is performed, notes played perfectly, flags caught, and drums and sticks beaten.
The roar of the crowd takes over as the drum major yells “Forward Harch” one last time.
I tap my drum keeping time for the band as memories from the last four years fill my head.
The stick hits the drum one last time as a teardrop forms in my eye.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Tap!
Tap!
Tap!