Trying To Teach

I say, “Breathe in deep and let it out”

You ask me how, I look around

I never learned the proper words

I only know what feels like sound

I sing the line, you sing it back

It bends somewhere along the way

I tell you, “No, but almost—wait…”

He says, “That doesn’t help. Explain.”

So he starts counting

I start humming

You keep trying

Something’s coming

One more time now

Take it slowly

Maybe teaching

Means we’re learning too

We’re trying to teach

What we don’t know how to say

He gives you the rhythm

I show you where it breaks

You miss every note

Then find one of your own

We’re trying to teach

But we’re figuring it out as we go

Trying to teach

Trying to reach

The voice that’s hiding underneath

We’re trying to teach

And maybe that’s enough

For now

He taps the beat against the chair

You watch his hand, I fix your stance

He says, “Again, but stay on time”

I say, “Forget the time—just dance”

He gives me that familiar look

I give it back, you start to laugh

The lesson falls apart again

But somehow you sound better after that

So he starts counting

I start humming

You stop thinking

Keep it coming

Not quite perfect

But it’s honest

Maybe progress

Doesn’t have to sound precise

We’re trying to teach

What we don’t know how to say

He gives you the rhythm

I show you where it breaks

You miss every note

Then find one of your own

We’re trying to teach

But we’re figuring it out as we go

Trying to teach

Trying to reach

The voice that’s hiding underneath

We’re trying to teach

And maybe that’s enough

For now

Again from the top

No—halfway through

Hold that breath

No, let it move

Listen to him

Don’t copy me

Wait, not like that—

Actually…

Do that again

We’re trying to teach

What we don’t know how to say

He gives you the rhythm

I show you where it breaks

You lose every word

But you don’t let it show

We’re trying to teach

And you keep getting closer as we go

Trying to teach

Trying to reach

The voice that’s waking underneath

We’re trying to teach

And maybe that’s enough

For now

He counts to four

I sing the cue

You take a breath

And make it through

Not perfect yet

But something’s new

We’re trying to teach

And listening to you