Talbot Elementary School Fifth Grade Bands

Mrs. Lightfoot had taught music at Talbot Elementary School for years.
A couple of her pupils excelled in music but most became engineers.
She sat at her desk to muse upon the past after another trying day,
Recalling events that had contributed to the 'dyeing' of her hair gray!

She remembered concerts when the cacophonous din made her wince,
And Mrs. Lightfoot approached such musicals with foreboding ever since.
But beaming parents saw their prodigies destined for musical acclaim.
(Only one she knew strummed a banjo at the VFW with a modicum of fame!)

Tubby Aruba wrestled with his tuba, ever out of step in the marching band.
Sissie Pyaner tried to emulate Liberace but she battered the concert grand.
For some reason one of the valves on Clyde Crumpet's trumpet always stuck,
And the trombone players could never harmonize - such was their bad luck!

Pat Claret could never adjust her clarinet reeds to eliminate the squeaks.
'Tyke' Biddle fiddled with the bull fiddle but never mastered its techniques.
Hubie Crums thought he was Gene Krupa and went crazy on the drums.
And when it came to playing the French horn, Sydney Corne was all thumbs!

Many times Mrs. Lightfoot thought she'd chosen the wrong speciality path,
And oft' wondered if she should have majored in history or maybe math.
In a couple of years she could lay down her baton one last time and retire,
To reminisce about fatal concerts, bleating horns and inharmonious choir!

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
(c) 2014 All Rights Reserved
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

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Bauer Avatar
June 23, 2014 at 7:53 PM
thanks for the chuckle, bob! this one is just perfect! i love all the names you've given your "musicians" and the way you've described the teacher, too.
Onclaud Avatar
June 23, 2014 at 11:48 AM
what a winsome write, bob... some people have a passion for music, but music has no passion for them.. still, i like the how you brought ms. lightfoot's ardor in a lyrical way.. you are so versatile!.. huggs
Devonshire Avatar
June 23, 2014 at 7:39 AM
Dear Bob, It would have made matters even worse if poor Mrs. Lightfoot had heard me try to play the clarinet :D. I actually heard Gene Krupa live once, but I don't think I'm ready for Hubie Crums. Enjoyed this whimsical poem, my friend! Love, Carolyn (Hey, maybe you could be Mrs. Lightfoot in a past life -- hint, hint)
Devonshire Avatar
June 23, 2014 at 1:25 PM
Better "Mrs. Lightfoot" than "Mrs. Bigfoot" :D
Gorelick Avatar
June 22, 2014 at 10:27 PM
I enjoyed every word, and every little kid you described. This is wonderful work, as I have said before, you are the master of rhyme..BG
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