I can taste salt on my upper lip

Feel the soft folds of my body dampen.

Cloudless blue and not a breath of wind

While the sun blisters toward its brutal peak.

My partner is the lifetime kind

A cool comfort in this odd company.

The ice fades fast in my sugared rum

But he is cold water, the smile on my lips.

Should we want to win?

Paddles picked, bets brokered.

First timers vs. cutthroat mediocres

Despite the loss, this indifference is bliss.

After the match, the games persist

Wistful winks and volleyed glances.

I'm no athlete but he sees the sport

When we play together, we always score.