As my feet carry me towards the band room,

The hurricane of insecurity that constantly rages in my mind seems never-ending,

Its winds ripping through my confidence and sending it toppling down like a house of cards.

When I pass through the band room doors, however, a wave of calmness washes over me-

Like I’m in the eye of the storm.

This is the one place where I feel free to be myself-

Where I can seek respite from the constraints of societal expectations

And experience the feeling of sweet catharsis from all of my pent-up self-hatred and insecurity-

For I am surrounded by the only people that accept me for who I am.

When it feels as though I may be swept away by an undertow of anxiety,

The weight of the mallets in my hands keeps me grounded in serenity

As they dance across the bars of the xylophone in skillful maneuvers,

Possessing all of the grace and finesse of an adroit ballerina.

The music swirls around me like how the wind blows stray leaves from the ground,

Bringing me comfort and familiarity as it feels like everything around me fades away

And leaves nothing but me and the xylophone.