The Wally Sticks

Sit back, kick back, I will tell you a story in rhyme,
‘Bout Wallyroo Ninety-Two in his prime time,
So we’ll travel back to nineteen eighty nine,
When he was just fifteen and joined the drumline.

Earlier Wally had been a “sucky" drummer,
Could not keep up the beat, it was a bummer
But over the summer he practiced real hard,
And once in high school he got his calling card.

He leaned to read music and how to play notes,
A skinny nerd who'd never been able to gloat,
He still sucked but he was getting much better,
For one day he would be the school’s trendsetter.

On the first competition some didn’t show,
The teacher told Wally “you’ll do the solo”,
Unsure of himself Wally gave a sad frown,
To which the director said “water it down”.

Sure enough that day the band scored a first place,
A huge surprise, you should’ve seen Wally’s face
In the section caption drumline also got first,
Wally’s lack of confidence had been reversed.

Over the year he was determined to learn,
Practicing all rudiments at every turn,
Music was a new passion he’d be wrapped in,
And the next year he was named drumline captain.

But Wally’s determination didn’t stop there,
He discovered a skill and now he had flair,
Drumming all the time despite blisters and cuts,
And then at home he drove the family nuts.

After school he’d take the snare out to play,
Others would join him just to have a heyday,
Those who once mocked him then in contrast,
Out of respect said “dude now you’re a badass”.

Wally knew he was part of a special team,
Together they achieved many goals and dreams,
His last year to his surprise the shy teenager,
He tried and had been named one of the drum majors.

The band and colorguard experienced great success,
He developed leadership skills (and some finesse),
After graduation the kids would always be friends,
The kind of bond that never really ends.

One day Wally stopped by the school just to see,
The old band room that still holds all the trophies,
Pictures and portraits of many championship years
And old Wally smiles and fighting back happy tears.

The only trophy Wally has is a piece of his uniform,
In a glass case next to his books he likes to adorn,
In the band room the director kept many relics,
One which the young kids named the “Wally Sticks”.