This be an ode to ‘Winners all the way’
who stopped short just a step away,
It was a journey we embarked on to reach laurel land
with racquets and camaraderie in either hand,
The cold winter evenings were witness to the fact
that practice against all odds was an unspoken pact,
The journeymen drove, sliced, lobbed and dazzled
which left their opponents flummoxed and frazzled,
The Saturday conquests were celebrated with ale
accompanied with home cooked chili and many a tale,
The groundhog came out in time to usher in the playoffs
at a time the American industry was witnessing layoffs,
We had no time to waste but to gird up our loins
to take on fierce mercenaries chasing gold coins,
We played out of our skins and put all on the line
to reach the finals with some intervention divine,
We traveled with family and friends to a neutral venue
which had burgers, fries and a dollar a beer for a menu,
We plied out trade with unflinching intensity and unbridled enthusiasm
but our worthy adversaries had answers to our questions even to ones seemingly without solution,
We celebrated our accomplishment in the lair of a large-hearted bear(read Timmy)
vowing to regroup and challenge the best with purpose and our usual flair.
P.S. This is an ode to my ALTA(Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association) team to commemorate our sterling performance this season which culminated in us finishing as the city runners-up.