Her Dreams #2 (Runner-Up)
During the age
Of segregation
There was a park
Purchased by Dr. Cal Johnson
For Black children to play
In
It had swings
A jumble gym
A basketball court
And a tennis court
Actually two
The little kids could play
In the afternoon
But when work was over
The men got the court
Matthew and Marvin hit the ball
So hard
It made me wonder?
Why? But they couldn’t play
In any tournament
Mommy lived directly
Across the street
She played every day
Hitting harder and harder
The Colored Tournament was held
At Wilberforce University
Where Grandmother got the money
To send her I still
Don’t know
But she did
Mommy played and played
Until she reached
The Finals
Althea Gibson was on
The other side
Mommy lost
I always liked
That trophy
“Runner-Up”
I kept it and kept it
Until finally there was an argument
And my father broke it
Not trying to hurt
Her but just jealous
Because he didn’t have one
Someone—not me—threw it
Away
But she was still the Runner-Up
To Althea Gibson
