The Drummer

Struggle to find the right instrument
Audition them all in my youth
Hear other tunes, they always sound good
Conflicting rhythms

She thinks I might play well someday
Faith in an unseen thing
Walk together, music
Conflicting rhythms

Did I choose drums or did they choose me?
Run from or to? Both
Too many instruments
Conflicting rhythms

An old band, familiar
The call narrows, drums
The conductor smiles
Conflicting rhythms fade

Accomplishment, the notes flow
Can’t finish the song
Failure, wrong drums?
Conflicting rhythms

A room without doors
Inside with the player
Wrong rhythms persist, can’t play Jazz
Conflicting rhythms

Off beat, the audience sleeps
Does the conductor smile?
Drums? Too many instruments
Conflicting rhythms

A room without doors
Conflicting rhythms