McEnroe & Agassi on TV,
pock, unnngh, pock, unnghh, pock
they grunt & sweat beating furry balls
around the court---there was a day
they were top of their game, now
old men, still doing what they love
& are good at---maybe
a little slower, more direct,
a little more finesse than power----
'these are not bad things
that come with age,'
you say
a glint in your eye,
i thumb the power button
on the remote
and serve,
awaiting your return
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70 comments:
Wait til you hit 58, you'll need glasses to stare down anything!
LOL to what Gail said, but it can sometimes be a bit painful to watch and experience as it sneaks up on us!
I know the feeling of slowing down, not able to reach anywhere the same level that I did "in the old days". But then again, my hindsight is myopic. I never could do back then what I sigh about today.
"pock, unnngh, pock, unnghh, pock"
I will always remember that sound.
Wanted to be Chris Evert, Steffi Graf(who was married to Agassi) and I studied Martina N.'s amazing serves until I could guarantee an advantage, a win, never LOVE.
Played for years, passionately.
I remember McEnoe and his courtside manners. I remember them all... young, with energy and so amazingly good.
We all grow old... it is the consequence of not dying young.
Aging is a bigger challenge than any tennis match! For me, at least...
:)
smiles..experience and work on the details with finesse makes for a wonderful game...smiles..lovely write bri
I'd say wisdom and finesse make for a different kind of game...embrace it and it will be a lot more fun than you imagine...Happy Sunday :-)
... dare I compare you to a fine wine? Mighty fine is my opinion!!
This speaks volumes, Brian. Yes, more nuanced is a great way to describe old age. The rest, it's all how you interpret the little things that pull at your heartstrings.
Thanks for your loyal following, Brian.
use it or loose it, huh? ;)
Ace.
Sí, seguro que aun debe de ser fantástico verlos jugar, en especial a McEnroe que es de mi generación.
Oy ... old? They are both middle aged! ;) You cross sixty, you become old, says the old lady of 66. Boy, you nailed it with the sounds. Farmlady said it well, come to think of it, everyone had great comments here.
I say more power to them. Nice post. Heh, but I am watching football. LOL.
I like the sounds of hitting it a little slower but more direct ~
At least they are doing it now for the love of the game then the money, and that is the reward of growing old, you are not beholden to anyone anymore ~
Happy Sunday Brian ~
Sometimes slower is better ; )
We all get old, we all lose our various talents, we find our senses are blunted, and we cannot stop the passage of time. Some just get there earlier than others.
I love this. We watch golf (it's usually in the background for me) and I see the same thing. The seniors may not hit it so far, but their experience and accuracy is a factor, especially in the short game. You are so good at onomatopoeia, Bri.
Preach, brother! I love this.
This brought back LOTS of memories! I love tennis. I miss the gold ole days of Aggasi, Conners, Ivan Lendil, Michael Chang, Becker, etc. Those were the days.
Recall once, long ago, was fairly good at tennis but never could beat an "old" lady of 60 when I was 30. She used to run me all over the court & never moved from the center spot of her side. Tennis can be a real mind game. Nice poem, Brian, as always...
Love all perhaps? K.
Tennis on TV--sounds like my house as there are cable TV stations that show the game 24 hours a day and my daughter is addicted... But boy, she has a wicked backhand and is tough at the net.
ok, we didn't need to know how much grunting happened at your place ;)
I was a big Agassi fan as teenager, not for the tennis but for his long hair :). had a poster in our classroom.
you know, that picture is great, I read the French word "mots" (words) in it instead of an upside down slow. Did you intend it that was?
LOL. Yes, we age and change, but it's richer with history and braille roadmap...
I got to see a lot of the tennis greats in person. The Swede worked for a corporation that sponsored tennis matches. I've seen Borg, Conners, McEnroe all in person. Love tennis. Dad got to go to a Wimbledon. But I know this isn't about tennis, really...
Tina @ Life is Good
http://kmdlifeisgood.blogspot.com/
LOL, but they are still doing what they love aren't they? :<)
WayStation One 4 Lyfe! Broooooooooooooooo!
Ah, a little more finesse is always a good thing. Lol, great write with just the right amounts of power and finesse Brian. :o)
Still able to give it a go
That isn't the easiest as the years show
Enjoying the game
Can still be the same
But age does mame
Some broke points it could claim
you definitely served up a nice one here...an ace—nicely served.
Like how you freight simplicity with life's big questions, BRI. Aloha
Some things just keep getting better with age. :)
Doing what you love is always a gift..they are lucky :) and blessed :)
When I read this, I pictured me playing tennis on the Wii - I was the one moaning in pain! ha ha ha
Lucky they can do what they love! My my tennis days are long behind me. Have a great new year Brian!
thanks for taking life and putting it so profoundly and simply, friend. happy new year.
Nice play on words in the last stanza, Brian, and there's a lot to be said for finesse...
yep...my 51 yr old husband still thinks he is in high school...
Allll the sounds I make just reaching over to tie my boots.
Happy New Year, dear friend.
I wear shoes/boots which don't need lacing--so never have THAT reminder.
HEY, all thi talk about TENNIS...I absolutely vote for the last group of lines, words...shut down the machines, wait for your return. Oh, man!
It been so cold here I'm making good use of the Liberty U 40th Anniversary BLANKET--SO warm for the feet, etc., etc.
HAPPY NEW YEAR PEEPS!
There's a sense of loss with the passing of age. Wait. Are you calling yourself an old man? :)
We tell ourselves that we are better than ever when we really mean that getting older is a bitch!! And we are just making do with what we have left. Ha!
Go boys!
Happy New Year
Hugs
SueAnn
i like your wife! finesse is definitely a good thing!
happy happy new year, Brian!
What a wonderful angle on aging you communicate through that poem. Well done.
Dang, I put it in the net! Splendid write. Enjoyed.
At one time it was just leaving it to nature. Growing old gracefully until one smart alec discovered the blue pill. Now it's a thrill to be elderly (just one step from old) Nicely Brian!
Hank
Well I'm 53 and I could still do what I want if I wanted to, OK? lol good one you know the billboard MOTS is WORDS in French ;)
Happy New Year Dear Brian and to Tara and the boys xxxx
Old age is ... full of memories. Forget the slowing down, just enjoy looking back. You can tell I'm in a philosophical mood ... smiles. I used to like watching Agassi playing the supreme game and McEnroe always made me laugh. Ah, happy days.
Loved both of them. Wish we have a stop-clock after 40 ;)
Sometimes that grunting on the tennis courts can get quite loud...
LOL.
Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year, Brian! I always love your imagery, but now you've added sound effects! :-)
And back atchya :))) xo
i think this is a very lovely poem about change, not just aging. as usual, the senses are given a workout. :)
Definitely can relate(well, except to the furry balls.) Happy New Year, bri--and I don't think you've lost a stroke.
Nice. Change -- some things taken away, but some things for the better.
Happy 2013 to you, Brian.
Well aging is also a sign of experience...which only moments you lived can give U..
Hmmmm, you are playing a video game? Not watching tennis?
I had to look up those two names -- I am a sports idiot (among many things I know next to nothing).
With age comes some advantages, mostly loss -- ain't no denying that. I hear my patients say it every day -- even the fortunate ones.
We age must faster sitting on our asses and playing video games pretending we are active -- but drinking beer and watching sports is the next biggest joke. Well, I guess watching sordid affairs and adventures stories amounts to the same eh? Just not as ironic, perhaps.
Smiles - loved the playful insight in this.
like fine wine ....I bet the return was an ace!
Why does this read like it's more than tennis? I know what you mean though. 40-luv is not usually a nice feeling but it depends on who's on the luv side and how they choose to serve. 20-20 vision does not always help either.
Happy new year to you and yours, Brian.
Hi! Brian...
Thanks, for sharing the image as through your poetic words you look at [the "price" we all pay as we age...]
deedee :)
Yes we are slower but definitely have more finesse! Love this Brian....Happy New Year! :-)
Happy New Year!
May this New Year be one of realized dreams… even those we did not realize we were dreaming!
Best Wishes For 2013 Brian! Regards From Tony +thanks for your good support.
Happy New Year Brian, to you Tara and the kids, huggs!
That road sign, when I saw it I read MOTS which is words in French. Is that cool or what?
I personally never got tennis. Never got the desire to watch it on TV, nor to play it. But I do find the sounds of tennis soothing in a way. Like background noise to enhance meditation...
this makes me smile. the constant volley of words in marriage, all the underlying meanings. love. (no pun intended)
ah the dreaded old age creeping up hehe I have wore glasses for years man so im not blaming it on age lol, but I do forget things hehe..
Yeah, hard to believe they are old men now. Well, old for what they do. Hate to admit that I am slowing down some too. Not as much desire to be running ragged all the time.
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