Turning Down the Volume
By Steve Wardrip

Ever gotten where you just couldn’t take it anymore?
Where everything gels together and rallies against you?
Where there is no relief, relentless pounding, bombing, sores?
All inside your mind, heart racing, sweating in a cold room?
When all songs say the same thing and it’s annoying?
Boring discussions that don’t involve you?
Your mind can take it, but with your heart, it’s toying,
And you can conquer if you choose to?
Don’t be alarmed when they come for you,
Be strong and brave, no whimpering at all,
Be the sure, steady captain of your own ship, too!
No collapsing, fainting! Stand tall at the fancy ball.
“Back up, back up, rewind, turn it down!”
Unplug if you have to, stop the output!
Make the damned wave behave, maybe even drown,
Turn it down, stop their sounds! Put down thy foot!
For you are not here to listen their mess,
You have nothing but wins and zero defeats,
You are not here to be told how to dress.
You hold the official position! You hold that seat!
Rattle the cage of the gorilla extreme,
Be the one who breaks chains free,
Let love conquer all, to the world, let it be seen,
Be one of us who is silent and keen.
Turning down the volume,
Is the sweetest sound,
We are a superteam,
Silence found.

