Extramural Tennis When I took up tennis In my teens It was hard to find a Practice partner So I looked for Walls At first I valued them For smoothness But as my skill increased Irregularities were so much fun That matches then became a letdown In comparison Forehand, backhand, topspin, slice – Whatever I could manage was returned For me to hit again As long as I could keep The angle and the altitude Just right And not be tempted By the sweet spot Into using too much force It’s a pity my approach to Extramural occupations at the time Could never follow suit ________________________________________________________________________ Emanuel E. García, Wandering Bark, 2013 |