US Open players laboring racquets smashing yellow balls,
service aces in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Billie Jean King Tennis Center.
Forehands from the baseline, backhands, dink shots,
moon high lob shots, some called in, called OUT!
Am sometime fan remembering the old star names,
struggling to remember those of the future.
Happily celebrating Billie Jean’s recognition,
Sadly retiring memories of Martina and Andre.
They that labor in tennis, my new labor in writing.
Daily musings since February. Beginning again,
our new learning season
granddaughter Hyunji’s and mine.
palmer haynes
September 4, 2006