First Strum

Warm stage light fell over my shoulders, and the stillness in my chest gave way to a gentle, steady hum. I blinked, realizing my fingers were resting along familiar steel strings. Slowly, I flexed my right thumb and plucked the top string of my acoustic guitar. A pure, rich tone rang out across the wooden planks, vibrating right up into my palm. I tilted my chin closer to the microphone poised before me, letting out a soft, clear breath of sound that echoed the chord.