Yo
Back in the day
I played
a mean game
of
ping pong
I hear ya
You’re laughing
Picturing
your momma
and your
daddy
standing
at the table
lofting lazy volleys
back and forth
gnip gnop
gnip gnop
It ain’t like that
Serious stuff this was
Crazy spins
smokin slams
so fast so fast so fast
feet always movin
strategy and anticipation
flip the backspin
over the top
hit the line
play the edge
workin hard
sweat drippin
on the table
Yeah
Serious stuff, it was,
so long ago.

And then this kid
talking smack
talking his game
I talk back
talking my game
remembering
how it was
so long ago
A table shows up
then the net
then paddles
then balls
I watch him play
he’s good
wicked spins
fast slams
I start eating
my words
playin on my age
slow reflexes
unorthodox style
I ain’t what
I was, I say
But I can’t dodge.

Last night
I’m playin
by myself
hittin
balls off the backplay
tryin to find a rhythm
and he shows up
with his own
personal paddle
in his own
personal case
Last time
I played
someone like that
I got smoked
Time for the truth

The game is on

I win serve
first five points
I hold serve
next five
he holds
but I’m
still ahead
I miss a slam
then I hit one
just like back then
I spin a shot
and he’s in the net
I can’t handle
his serve
and he slams
past me
on and
on
it goes
slams
spins
volleys
cuts
sliders
slams
fast
and
furious
sweat flying

Deuce at 20

i feel good
to have done
this well
but the
kid will
have
his day

More volleys
then he hits
off the table
My add
More volleys
and then he hits
into the net
My game
just like it was
before
I got old

My game

gnip gnop?
Yeah
I’ll show you some
gnip gnop

Editor’s Note:  In the grand scheme of important things in the world, a game of ping pong is waaaaaay down there, and the creative writing describing this non-event is likewise unimportant. The author realizes this. Nonetheless, it amuses him. Besides, you didn’t really think he was another Hemingway, did you?

Obla di, obla da.

copyright 2017, joseph e bird