The Fitzgeralds
were aptly named.
Shiny and red-faced
on the pickleball court—
he, with red bandana,
she, in red bows.
He, throwing his weight around,
she, throwing her racket down.
Fitzi’s stomping around
in a big red huff
like cardinals, territorial,
entitled—
in a tiff,
in a fuss
after the game—
us, smirking, victorious.
© 2025 Jennifer Wagner
PAD Day 5: write an “After (blank)” poem. I followed the prompt, except for using it for my title.
Cardinals are territorial and pugnacious and have even been known to fight their own reflections.
The above poem is loosely based on a mini-pickleball tournament my husband and I surprised ourselves, and the reigning champs, by winning…smirk.