No Small Victories

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(for Arthur Ashe)


Born into segregation
unforeseen that your
backhand would set you apart
from others in the best way.
Getting to play as the first
African American in the US Team.
Team America home of the brave
working to keep this land free
and your battles on the court
were no small victories.
Every victory carrying
the weight of your people
the pressure to succeed
an outcast in an all white
white tops, white shorts,
white socks, white skin
all white sport.

All out competitor
taking charge to expose
South Africa’s apartheid
when they denied
you entry into their tennis open,
the world inside and outside the courts
cheered you on
the world got another glimpse
of that country’s oppressive
government, no small victory.


Taking the cake
On July 5, 1975
on the biggest, oldest
snootiest stage facing off
Bruin vs. Bruin,
the #1 Jimmy Connors
went down and you stepped
up at the age of 31, reining #1
in the world. 

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