Poem for Pancho Gonzales

　　by Leroy V. Quintana

　　 This was the world of white lines， a game

　　 unlike any other， where the object was to win，

　　 only you used words like "Please"

　　 if your aim ended up improperly

　　 in the next court， "Thank you" when

　　 the ball was returned and "Love"

　　 after you scored first.

　　 Yours was the name that survived

　　 the hatred only California can inspire，

　　 strong enough to be etched in fire

　　 on tennis rackets redeemed

　　 by thrifty mothers who built a life

　　 on S&H Green Stamps a dish，

　　 a dish， a lamp， an ashtray at a time.

　　 --Leroy V. Quintana