Well, it looks like Lleyton Hewitt's wife, Bec Cartwright, has touched us all, and deeply, with her verse. Just the other day, a reference to E.E. CUMMINGS (just want to make the old boy roll over in his grave) in the comments barely elicited a sleepy "oh him" response, yet the Tribe has been all over Bec's wedding poem with a degree of enthusiasm that has made this the greatest literary event since Kahlil Gibran published *The Prophet*.
I was talking with Steggy about this, and it occurred to us that we ought to have our own TW Poetry Slam (I mean, why should all those East Village trustifarian's and pierced and tattooed Angry Young Men and Women have all the fun?). We'll call it the First Annual Bec Cartwright Armadillo Poetry Slam at TennisWorld.
So here goes: The assignment is to write a poem of any length or style, from hai-ku to a long, rambling, free verse rant of which Allen Ginsberg would be proud (note to Bec: I know it's not really poetry if it doesn't rhyme, but we have a Big Tent approach at TW).
(Ed. note - the original rules have been changed on the spur of the moment; actually, the rules have been pretty much eliminated. The poem can be from you to your favorite player (get ready for the onslaught, Marat), or from player to player, although it seems to make more sense to have it be from a player already linked to another one, as in Mirka-Roger, Martina Hingis-(insert male player of choice), Andy and Maria, etc. etc.)
A special, three-person panel of TW Elders will then be asked to choose the best submission, with the winner receiving a prize (uh-oh, I still owe kbomb a hat!) - the very first article of TW Armadillo signature gear, which could be anything from a coffee mug to, well, a coffee mug. Okay?
If you're looking for a little poetic inspiration, the good folks at The Tennis Channel (thanks, Eric!) have provided me with a link to the exclusive "Sizzle" video that TTC produced for the ATP, which was shown at the U.S. Open player meeting (I posted on this during the U.S. Open, but I'm having trouble finding the item because we're still in the process of transferring archival material).
Anyway, This was the video used to introduce Andre Agassi at the meeting, where he received a three-minute standing ovation. The sound track is by the Las Vegas band, The Killers. But I keep hearing the 80s New Wave band, Big Country in the seductive, early portion. Nobody other than the TTC folks and the ATP players and staff has seen this clip, so thanks, TTC, and enjoy. . .
Some Davis Cup thoughts tomorrow. . .