Tigre

it's here again for tiger tim
quivering lips and whippet thin
a nation gets to 'live the dream'
suck humbug flavour strawbs and cream

his game is laced with classic guile
creeping forward guerilla-style
wayward shots show a gambler's dash
yet braying pundits wail and gnash

sue will simper her eyes will plead
for that british champion 'we all need'
flags get waved and stupid hats
but I want my proper tournament back

with nervous weather, crush of people
shrouds of green and distant steeples
blazered members, an expectant hum
ivy dripping summer sun

immortals haunt these hallowed courts
idols all who time has fought
headbands, tantrums, tinglings dresses
held in awe by those less blessed

jones evert navratilova
ginny beating betty stove
billie-jean maria bueno
(strict code of white no andre day-glo)

sampras laver newcombe roche
the williams sisters their daddy coach
borg the iceman mac the knife
marathon doubles in a fading light

boris, stefan, michael stich
maskell whispering 'what a peach'
we've rain delays old popstars songs
since arthur's 'junk' beat connors' mom

serve and volley, slices, chips
favourites dreading the 'graveyard' shift
crazy bounces, balls keep low
shame ilie never won it though

elite combatants, few of many
be they justines lleytons or yefgenys
arrive like pilgrims to sw nineteen
the pinnacle of the tennis scene

from east and west both hemispheres
it used to be the crowd would cheer
deft touch, straight ace outrageous skill
now all we get is henman hill

so before you lapse into tabloid mania
expect one man to be your saviour
hear a purists' plea to the rabid crew
'other great players are out there too'

i like the boy as i've said before
and i check his progress throughout the tour
so allow him space, applaud his peers
and perhaps this time there won't be tears


©Ahealy2004