I inhale a long breath and place my fingers on the ivory keys, gentle as a whisper.

My heart flutters like a butterfly, nerves and excitement battling for my attention,

as my fingers begin to dance.

But instead of a ballerina dancing to music

I am the music—

at every press of my finger a note greets the melody like a long-lost friend.

Sharps and flats and chords and clashes

weave together like a vibrant tapestry.

And my breath swells alongside the crescendo in the music,

pride of what I’ve accomplished so far and anticipation of what’s to come…

But I can’t dwell on that now, for right now is only these notes,

the melody, harmony, descant, and dynamics,

that I am bringing to life with my hands.