Playing Golf with Nelson Mandela
Once again, I am in the rough
feeling inferior to the guy behind me
who keeps hitting holes-in-one.
After a long walk back to the green
I wait for him to play through
but of course, the ball flies straight
almost too perfect to be true
lands 27 inches from the cup
rolls and drops in.
He walks over, hand out and says,
Hi, I’m Nelson.
I stammer, oh my God, yes, I know.
I’m Mark,
May I ask you something?
Of course, he smiles
as Bishop Tutu ambles over.
How are you doing this?
He winks as he passes
his ball to the bishop
who blows on it.
Then he turns to me and laughs,
it always seems impossible until it’s done.
*****
Poem (c) Mark de Klerk
Image: Stockholm Paris Studio Unsplash