4th Grade Music Room

Under her guidance, we stood at attention Like a row of young soldiers, reciting the anthem "Oh Say, Can You See?".. was a warbled contusion, that could shatter your glasses, disturb other classes out of tune, out of rhythm, but with avid enthusiasm it could rattle the rafters of our little school And with childish delusions, we thought we were cool! As we stood in the room she would move down the line with a frown in the depth of her leathery brow. She would bow till her ear matched our voice and her hand would be poised with two fingers that cued, keeping time with the tune. She would grit all her teeth bite the inside of cheeks Such a serious task! it was all that she asked that we please.."DO YOUR BEST!" When we mastered, at last She would gasp, then exclaim as we sang each refrain, mixed with tears, she would clap I remember it now... Here I stand in this row with my hand on my heart as the first strain imparts Yes, I know those old words... they'll remain part of me 'til the day that I die "O Say, Can You See?"...still familiar to me But no..............I can't see.... with fresh tears in my eyes... _________________________________________________