One. Two. Three. Four. 

Breathe as the notes flow through the air. 

Two. Two. Three. Four. 

Let the keys fly as time goes by.

Three. Two. Three. Four.

Staccato the rhythms as written.

Four. Two. Three. Four. 

Ritardando as the notes turn legato. 

One. Two. Three. 

A simple waltz, a delicate tune 

The brass low, keeping beat.

As woodwinds skip in intricate runs 

Be sure not to miss a beat.

But the music blends

And softly lulls one to sleep 

In and out, the dance keeps going

A steady heartbeat. 

COUNT. 

A beat. A beat. 

Lost where I am. 

Where are you? 

What measure? 

A solo?!

Wait! Wait! 

I don’t know?!

Wait, let me review-

One. Two. Three. Go.

The silence is horrifying. 

Play something. Do what I can.

Read the notes, they lead to the answer. 

A rush of notes, the paper now blurry. 

Eye contact with the conductor, an embarrassing display. 

No one knows what I should have done. 

But I still know. 

I tuned out and my mind became filled.

Filled with a distant dream, so lovely

But now all I have is a miserable defeat

As I sit back and count once more.

One. Two. Three. Four.