Suddenly, I hear a hiss and the ball flies past my ear
I narrow my eyes and stared own my opponent to make my intention clear
I smile at the girl opposing me as she grips her racket with fear.
I toss my elbow friend up high; the world begins to slow
my racket whips around my head and its speed begins to grow
it spins upward and freezes, suspended in sunny glow,
then whack! It whizzes off again with pride
to meet the same fate on the other side
it spins, with my racket as its guide
three states, five schools, together we've done it all
there is no ode I’d rather write than the ode to the tennis ball