Poetry Prompt: The Sounds of Sport

Based on "Tennis in the City" by Frank Higgins, write a poem that works the sound of the sport into the poem itself. Make sure that you describe the scene well with imagery, comparisons and details, but really focus in on the sound.

"Tennis in the City"
by Frank Higgins

He could help us out

selling papers or sacking groceries

but that's what I did growing up.

Every day he's in the alley

knocking that ball against the building.

Whomp      take that     Forest Hills

whomp     whomp       take that      Wimbledon

whomp         whomp          whomp

all          day       long,

the wife tells me so.

Says she watches him from the window

when the bossman has her clean 'em,

says she doesn't know about that boy.

But I know about that boy

and I know this ball's worn

and I know this racket's gonna split

no matter how much tape you put on,

so tonight after supper

we're going for new ones, son.

And I want you to start staying

in that alley an hour longer, hear?

for Arthur Ashe (famous African-American tennis player)