Love Court (For Steffi Graf) Poem by Anita Shanti Joseph

We are in a match
And you call the shots
I’m the captive of your soul
Steady your heart
Enter the court with me
Begin at love point
Sally with volleys
And let passion sweet
Like your delicate drop shots
Slice our doubts.
Over the net dividing…
One must lose while the other wins
Some good spins, and sometimes…
Overstepping the lines, with fault
Each serves an ace, shooting
Like stars burning with wit.
The referee keeps our scores
And reminds us of the rules
While life’s keen balance keeps
A see-saw firmly fixed to the grounds
Let love her trophy bear
No tears can dim the ‘I’
In the beauty of the players’ game
Say naught your pain hath no gain.
As with poetry; like a captain
Humbles the sea, He stirs us
To exotic lands, let love in…
Before time gets you out
Put on the fight in good strength
Together with sparkling wine
Bubble the court with patience
And perseverance… wait for your turn.
A good sport the cheers invite
Let’s love and let love be
Our winning shot – to plunder
Every stubborn heart
A match that is never over or done with
It’s within our lives we live.