“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.