We must admit there will be music despite everything.
—poet Jack Gilbert from “A Brief for the Defense”

In my case, the sharp sounds of mallets hitting metal,
practicing the bells solo to “Stars and Stripes Forever,”

which I haven’t performed in forever, but will
in early May, along with other American classics

as this country celebrates its 250th year. Which,
despite everything—the needless damage inflicted

on institutions of the people, by the people
and for the people—not to mention on the people

themselves, here and abroad—it is, for better
or worse, my country. A half century ago,

as a bicentennial high school graduate,
I played patriotic music all year with bands

and orchestras till I was ready to throttle
John Phillip Sousa. All these decades later,

standing at the back of a band, mallets
at the ready for bells and xylophone—

also woman-ing triangle and crash cymbals
I am again music, despite everything,

contributing in my percussive way
to the whole, determined to get Mr. Sousa’s

famous march melody tack sharp perfect
for Americans and all who deserve to be,

god bless us every one.