PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

I once played high school football…I even wrestled on their mat

but I was never a first class athlete…and I am comfortable with that.

My exploits in both fields will never be well known

but when it came to sports in general…I like to think I held my own.

Which is why when Deborah suggested we go bowling…

when she initially planted the seed

I thought, I’m coordinated enough at 66, and enthusiastically agreed.

And despite the fact we hadn’t been bowling since 1989

I thought, given my confidence and physical ability, I was going to shine.

I know I’m not as strong as I used to be, but after tying up my shoes

most balls were much too heavy…so I chose one the children use.

“Isn’t that ball a little light?” Deborah asked, (what was that a psyche?)

I ignored her veiled rebuke and concentrated on my strike.

My feet were planted, I lined it up and was mystified and appalled

when my first roll of my first frame became a gutter ball.

My confidence was quickly waning

I wondered: Is this what the bowling Gods have wrought?

“I think you want to knock the pins down?” Deborah smirked

as I lined up my second shot.

It seemed my brain and arms were at odds with one another

they weren’t working together at all

and when I rolled my second shot…

another gutter ball.

I improved and was eventually satisfied with my result…

although I found it hard to gauge.

Is it golf or is it bowling where it’s good to score your age?

No matter…I got a little better as each game did unfold

and here is what I learned the more and more we bowled:

I may not be the greatest athlete…no crowds…no adulation

but I still can have a lot of fun…once I accept my limitations.

And when Deborah asked, “Will we be back?” I said, “Of course we would.

We may never be great bowlers…but we make these shoes look good!”