It's Paradoxical, Isn't it?

by Gypsymooncat

Competition? Phooey!
I have lived it, and learned early on
that I never had that killer instinct on the court
or anywhere to be honest

I'd brandish my racket, let out a war cry
then if I was leading, I'd somehow
bugger up the next sure shot
Much to my father's frustration

"GET THAT KILLER INSTINCT!!" he'd yell
I'd nod and respond "okay Dad"
And I'd try, but couldn't do it well
"Why??" he'd desperately plead
Because I felt sorry for the loser...

Oh I had the strokes, the footwork,
and a genuine love of the game
But could've tossed those tournaments,
ditched the Saturday afternoon matches
and sat, resplendent on a beach somewhere,
competing only with sun and surf

I tolerated competition for many more years
and when my chest suffered a blow
from an insecure opponent
(whom I'd aced three times in a row)
I cried out from pain, from disappointment
and from shock,
that competition could make monsters
out of "sportsmen"

From that day, I competed no more
but continued playing
for the enjoyment

To me, competition now is a self-journey -
pitting myself against myself;
setting one small daily challenge I must meet
for if I don't, it's me I end up disappointing
and that makes me a loser

This may seem awfully paradoxical to some
But it makes awfully perfect sense to me

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Competition writing prompt entry

Writing Prompt
Write a free verse poem on competition. Tell what it means to be competitive and why you love competition or not. Free verse is a form of poetry that does not necessarily follow to any specific meter patterns, rhyme, or any other pattern. Free verse, despite its freedom, often still has some elements of form. Most free verse does observe a convention of lines and structure. No rhyming patterns.

Years of playing in tennis tournaments I never wanted to enter, or playing competition matches every Saturday afternoon and Tuesday nights, and I really ended up throwing down the gauntlet/racket! I played for many years after quitting competition games, just for the enjoyment. Nowadays, I haven't picked up a racket in too long, but that's how life goes I guess. One day, I'll get back on a court again. For now though, I content myself with watching it on TV if I'm ever in front of a match, or remembering how much fun tennis is as a sport. It's those over-competitive freaks that ruin it for everyone else!

"Ace" or "aced" means when serving to an opponent, they missed the ball completely.

Thanks for reading!

Picture courtesy of DepositPhotos. No copyright breach intended.

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I'd rather contemplate than compete

It's Paradoxical, Isn't it?

by Gypsymooncat

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