PHOTO PROVIDED Joe Pacheco

Returning each morning to dust and clay,

We brave the ibuprophened shore

To beat oblivion one more day.

On court number one we start the fray

Not waiting for Time to settle the score,

Returning each morning to dust and clay.

Life’s easy volleys all put away,

Above the waist-high net we soar

To beat oblivion one more day.

We spin and slice to dupe our prey

With chips and drops and lobs galore,

Returning each morning to dust and clay;

No ace or smash to ease our way,

But rallies longer than ever before

To beat oblivion one more day.

So toward the final court we’ll play

Tomorrow and forevermore,

Returning each morning to dust and clay

To beat oblivion one more day.