At Roland Garros (French Open tennis tournament) June 19, 2024

I closely watch the ballboys

and ballgirls  their dogged chase

and two-handed grab

of each bright yellow orb

the ground-rolled balls

the elbow-hinged tosses

while the army teaches shooting

this armed service educates

in the art of seamless tennis ball

transfer  rapid retreat and

ramrod stance between serves

though once I saw one smile

while at attention at a back wall

this well-disciplined recruit

dropped his mask

for one second

and a child stumbled out