Poems of the Week

Right Out in the U.S. Open

by Alex Steelsmith

“[A] pungent marijuana smell that wafted over [a U.S. Open] court,
clouded the concentration of one of the world’s top players…”
AP

Sniffity, whiffity
billowing cannabis
rose through the stadium
rankly; indeed,

fans could imagine the
all-too-ubiquitous
plant as the tournament’s
number one seed.

Prominent, dominant
tennis competitors
came to perform on a
hardcourt; alas,

some were apparently
dazed and surprised to be
involuntarily
playing on grass.

Rackety, whackety
players’ performances
needn’t be called into
question; no doubt,

if there’s a problem our
cannabis-influenced
tennis officials are
hashing it out.