Coming to try-outs and realizing that the
seniors treat your like their best friends

Knowing it's okay to mess up, as long as
you do it with a smile

The miserable three-hour practice in the
hot sun after school that somehow seems
fun afterwards.

The random, useless facts about Antarctica
that your coach slips into practices that leave you
laughing for days afterwards.

Hitting yourself behind your head with the flag
and dropping it with a loud clang
And then giving ridiculously wide grins with jazz hands
acting like you just caught it...

Thinking everybody is just joking when they
emphasize the "blood" part of the "blood, sweat & tears" mantra
And then realizing you got blood
on your rifle strap

The silly costumes that you would have complained about,
had the entire guard not been laughing and cheering about it
before, during and after wearing it.

Saying "good luck" or "good job" to another band & guard
and actually meaning it

Never being afraid to perform at a show.
The feeling of a second family,
of bottomless confidence,
and the satisfaction & pride of teamwork

The blur of your last song in the showcase..
the never-ending adrenaline
And conciously choosing not to be like
the cheerleaders

The special guard-made victory chant
that you shout hysterically
even if you don't know the words.

The screamed choruses
of Disney songs on the bus ride home
with trophies taller than you.

The nerves of your first football game show freshman year...
And the tears at your last championship field show senior year . . .
Color guard
My dreams,
My goals,
My life