No Small Victories

(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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