Seventy children from all different places
We convene in the band room
Our sanctuary for an hour

All the baggage lugged in our backs
Dropped and piled up at our feet
We struggle to float overhead
On strains of ear-piercing, discordant music

Stop

Take all the extra
Leave it outside the door
Come back in and close your eyes

Think of a flower
Take a deep breath
Breathe in the pure scent and
No more room for anything else

Think of your favorite soup
Blow out and cool the surface
Calm the swirling thoughts and
Empty it all

Silence

Don’t talk-don’t worry-don’t think

Just breathe

Take a step back
Forget it all for just one hour
Leave the day outside

Listen to the silence

Focus

Just flowers and soup
Just breathe