Ever been to a family reunion? I wrote this poem in June 2023 in the spirit of having fun, and using the family reunion as analogy to speak to the coming together of diversity and talents, and the ways that makes life richer and more interesting for all.
We were all gathered, just laying around
Left in the grass, not making a sound
Our owners were resting at the Club Bar
Having hit, kicked or thrown us both near and far.
First there was my cousin, the white dimpled golf ball
She could be hit forever as she was so small
Her owners would hit her with drivers and wedges
Into sand traps, and holes, and even o’er hedges.
Then there was ‘baseball’ with her fancy stitching
Being batted around whenever there was pitching
Cradled in ball gloves, and not used in the cold
When caught after being hit, held high to behold
Fresh from the court after being bounced up and down
Was my uncle the basketball, wearing a frown
He had hit rims and the backboards but rarely the net
With hands that held or shot him glistening with sweat.
And from the fields where balls are kicked by many the feet
Was my brother ‘football’ or ‘soccer’, depending the athlete
Scuffed from the beating he took in the game they did play
He cherished the moments with the keeper where he could stay.
Then there was me wearing my coat of yellow fuzz
Served, lobbed and smacked as only a tennis player does
My bounce is important; to move swiftly the key
As I slow down my purpose changes to be used in road hockey
The Ball Family it comes in all weights and sizes
We each have our purpose and are given as prizes
Today we exchange stories with each other and rest
We know tomorrow we’ll have to be at our best.