The delicate corner shot,
Slicing the strings precise across the ball
At the right time, so that it lightly hits
On one side wall,
Kisses the front, then falls
Quick-dying down, most irretrievable,
Is difficult to do
Unless a calm, an inner certainty
Comes to you softly in the midst of war,
Setting you free
From the slam-bang desire
To smash it hard no matter where. To be
So deftly sure, so wise
Wins points in squash. In another, harder game,
Word-play, a similar civility
May equally tame
Peaceless desires, and make
Your opponent yours by a nicety of name.