Why am I playing tennis?
​
Why am I playing tennis at the age of sixty six?
There's something in my psyche that I'm going to have to fix?
Turning out on Thursday it was drizzling with rain
A doubles game v Southend Lawn. I start to feel the strain.
I saw the pair we'd play against. The prospect looked quite bad.
Their strongest vet was playing with a giant of a lad.
Both delightful characters. Urbane and friendly too
But we were up against it. Oh what were we going to do?
Rowland looked quite peaky. He'd not been well he said
I looked at our opponents and my heart was filled with dread
The floodlights shone above us in the mild October rain
And when I started knocking up I thought, 'Am I insane?
This lad is only seventeen with muscles on his arms
Bigger than my calves and thighs.' My head full of alarms
Warning bells were ringing as the balls flew through the air
Bending back my wrist and arm as though they were not there
The blurring yellow tennis ball distorted as it flew
From his distended racquet strings. His aim was fierce and true
And so began the battle. We watched the ball fly past
We sneaked the first set, only just, and then the die was cast
Rowland played quite brilliantly. His stomach ache had gone
He played like a demon. Up above the full moon shone
The scoring was so very close. Six - seven and six - four
The other match had finished now but we were in for more
Graham had us running. Young James played from the heart
I slipped and fell upon the ground. My knees were pulled apart
I thought I'd torn a muscle but it felt ok so then
We went back to our places to resume the game again
Suffice to say the final set was close as it could be
With tired legs and aching wrists we sneaked the victory
I'm lying here in bed now with my skeleton a wreck
Pain in my wrist and elbow, in ankle, thigh and neck
The clock has just turned one fifteen. It's getting far too late
Despite the fact I'm shattered I am feeling bloody great.
So that's why I play tennis despite the stress and strain
I love it. It's a stunning game. Can't wait to play again
