Ode to Marching

I was about 15 when I wrote this; my first attempt at poetry. Not much for form or style, but it was the thoughts I wanted to put down As much as I'd like, I'm not editing anything from the original version.


Ode to Marching

We are closer
Almost here
All the traffic
Hope for cheers.

Grab your jacket
Grab your spats
Put on your overlay
Fast, fast, fast!

Now we're standing
Waiting to march
It won't be long now
'Till we start.

Remember what they said,
"Play it out"
Before it's over
My arms will give out.

We're lining up now
On the street
We have to march
To the beat.

Stay in line
Look straight ahead
Keep in step
The stand's ahead.

We're looking good,
The best we can
We'll relax a little
When we're past the stand.

Creve Coeur is done,
They're watching us
Let's impress them before
We reach the bus.

We can stop playing
The parade is done
The pop disappears
One by one.

We are tired
Waiting for results
But also anxious
As new colts.

They're announcing results
Of the class we're in
Everyone hopes
We will win.

Fifth place is given
Then comes fourth
Third and second
Follow the course.

First place is announced
It's us, we got it!
We give a cheer
And jump and holler.

It's all over
The parades are done
Until November when
Thanksgiving comes.