for Arthur Ashe
“When you brushed away the gentility
his statement was more militant than mine.”
—Harry Edwards
Arthur forever opened the Open
when he took down
a different bull, Connors,
but his brother Johnnie’s sacrifice
—a second tour of ’Nam
allowed him the privilege
of serving his country
on the clay court.
It was 1968.
They were silencing dissent,
forever quieting loud voices.
Like Jackie Robinson before him
he did not strut to the finish line,
yet he arrived with his dignity intact.
He showed us other ways to win.
Taught all who would listen
that taking break point
ends the match
if you serve the ball
with a cannon
or with a subtle slice.
