Tennis Exchange
Grunt! Pop!
Tap.
Grunt! Pop!
Tap.
Over and over,
Baseline to baseline.
Grunt! Pop!
Tap.
Grunt! Pop!
Tap.
Like two boxers,
Toe to toe,
Mightily swinging,
Searching for vulnerability,
Pounding shot after shot,
Hoping for a winner.
Grunt! Pop!
Tap.
Grunt! Pop!
Tap.
One player moves.
Shuffle, shuffle,
Stretch, shout,
Racquet reaching,
Yielding just a little.
Soft pop. Held breath.
The ball floats, like a feather,
Angling miraculously away,
Lands, barely over the net,
Touching down while
Player two applauds,
Hand to racquet,
Catches towel from ballboy,
Curses sweat away,
Readies for the next volley.
Photo: Moises Alex on Unsplash
