Hup234 Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 My native state's a sporting state, a top vacation spot; There's skiing when the weather's cold, and boating when it's hot. My friends are all enthusiasts of sports and games galore, But most of them had never seen a drum and bugle corps. They just don't get why I ignored the area's great features And traveled many miles to find a seat up in the bleachers. They'd never seen a corps compete, or else I'm sure they'd see Why competitions offered so much fun and thrills for me. And so, I guess, we're miles apart as far as interests go. I found as much in drum corps as they found in sun and snow. To me, a sunny summer day meant sitting in the stands Watching corpsmen on the starting line clasp, with nervous hands, A bugle or a drumstick, or a sabre, cymbals, flags ... And checking over uniforms, and letting nothing lag. Encourangement was whispered into fellow squadmen's ears As starting time grew nearer, as did all the nagging fears. The Major moved to center, and he'd bark a sharp command, As silence would descend upon the crowds there in the stand. And then a sudden drumbeat signaled cheers and shouts galore! The crowds would roar approval then, as forward went the corps. Fears and nerves all vanished when the lines were clean and tight. All the months of practising were paying off that night. Bugles sounded sharply out across the summer air, Echoing from field and sky, and flags flew high and fair. As the field judges scurried midst our music strong and proud, The corps then rearranged itself facing towards the crowd. The fans would now be quieter, as concert time was here. We'd hope our new arrangements might just catch the judges' ear. And then the drumline moved into a smooth and rhythmic beat, A solo quite hypnotic, and the crowd would tap its feet. And then streamed forth a sweet barrage of old and modern tunes: Jazz, the blues, now powerful, then hushed, and ever-sweetly crooned; Old favorites and movie tunes, and Broadway hits galore. The audience could never guess the next surprise in store. When it was all over, and the cheering over too, The scores were tabulated as the crowd guessed who'd come through. To those who'd get no trophy for their efforts long and true: Sportsmanship would still prevail o'er disappointment's hue. Instead, determination to improve that evening's scores Overshadowed bitterness, and urged on all the corps. It was ever so rewarding when our corps had thrilled the fans, And so, to all those doubtful still, I'll take this one-man stand: The Golden Age of Drum Corps, whatever the scores would be, Will always live forever within the heart of me. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindap Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 (edited) Thanks for non-bold font. I've read poetry. This is ok but wee bit cheesy. I was a short, blonde, female drum major for 7 years decades ago. The golden years were challenging. Your poetic quote 'flags flew high and fair' is true on a windy day. Most of the time the rain or humidity soaked heavy flags on huge flagpoles, while we stood still in concert, wasn't fair 40+ years ago. I like the song 'Let It Go' from the animated movie Frozen! imo edit: was a timing and penalties judge for short while and tabulated too. Yikes! Edited March 4, 2014 by lindap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hup234 Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 Thanks for non-bold font. I've read poetry. This is ok but wee bit cheesy. I was a short, blonde, female drum major for 7 years decades ago. The golden years were challenging. Your poetic quote 'flags flew high and fair' is true on a windy day. Most of the time the rain or humidity soaked heavy flags on huge flagpoles, while we stood still in concert, wasn't fair 40+ years ago. I like the song 'Let It Go' from the animated movie Frozen! imo edit: was a timing and penalties judge for short while and tabulated too. Yikes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hup234 Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 Deepest apologies for any wee bit of what you perceived as "cheese". After all, you've read poetry before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindap Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 No worries Hup234. I did not mean to offend you. I simply spoke my mind without thinking over a year ago. My apologies to you. I like the second last stanza. If you don't mind, I took the liberty to paraphrase it slightly and remove a few ands as below: The drumline then moved to a smooth yet rhythmic beat, The solo quite hypnotic, the crowd would tap its feet. Then streamed forth a sweet barrage of old and modern tunes: Jazz, the blues, now powerful, then hushed, ever-sweetly crooned; Old favorites, movie tunes, Broadway hits galore. The audience never guessing the next surprise in store. In recent years, my job involved developing materials for classroom training. My materials have been peer reviewed and editted up to 20 times by others. After I deliver training, with the materials that I wrote, the participants fill out an evaluation. I've been critiqued so much that I now have a thick skin! Thanks for the poetry. Poetry provokes the mind and eases the soul, imo If you'll excuse me, I'm about to watch DCI 2015, via live video, from Little Rock and Hattiesburg, two places at the same time! I liked drum corps then and like drum corps now 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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