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I’m looking at this picture of my daughter Ava someone took three years ago as she was watching me during the semifinals of our tennis club’s singles championship: Standing there with her back to the camera, her little fingers curled around the metal wiring of a chain link fence, she’s trying to capture my attention before I hit a kick-serve from the ad-side court; Intently focused on the task at hand, I bounce the green ball twice in front of me, toss it slightly behind my center of gravity into swirling winds three feet above, coil like a spring, and then, with every ounce of my being, explode upwards while Ava stands there - still - her wide eyes searching an empty cage. 5/8/2017

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Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 5/17/2017 6:30:00 AM

Daddy's are so special to little girls. They so want and need their attention. I could feel you missing her in this nostalgic poem of yesterday's Phillip. I hope you can reunite soon my friend. : ) 7

Darren White

Date: 5/9/2017 10:35:00 AM

I smile at the picture, I smile at you. That poem is so wonderfully still, as still as that photo. You focus on that ball, she on you. Beautiful poem.

Phillip Garcia
Date: 5/9/2017 12:43:00 PM

Thanks Deedub. I do better thinking two dimensionally, it seems

Akkina Downing

Date: 5/8/2017 10:22:00 PM

Definitely a precious memory only wish it wasn't sad. All the best Phillip and God bless... Hugs :)

Phillip Garcia
Date: 5/9/2017 1:04:00 AM

Thank you, Akkina. I appreciate it. :)

Dale Gregory Cozart

Date: 5/8/2017 6:26:00 PM

as a tennis fan I like this. although whoever invented the top spin serve had WAY too much time on their hands.

Phillip Garcia
Date: 5/9/2017 1:05:00 AM

I agree 100% - I could literally write a novel on the nightmares I've had as a result of facing left handers who employed that serve. Gives me shivers just thinking about it

Jan Allison

Date: 5/8/2017 4:25:00 PM

Aww Phillip What precious memories but the final stanza packed with emotion and such sadness makes me think of a bird that has escaped from its cage, you must miss her so much:-( hugs Jan xx

Phillip Garcia
Date: 5/8/2017 4:28:00 PM

More n more every day. One day soon, hopefully, I won't have to anymore and I can get back to being mad about losing this match