After Karolina Pliskova defeated Serena Williams on Thursday night, knocking Williams out of her bid for a 23rd major title at the US Open & losing her No. 1 spot, Baltimore singer-songwriter Sonne Riley was inspired to write a poem.

1st Verse:

For Serena Williams
9.11.1999, Serena won her first one
9.11.1999, me & mom got evicted again
Well here comes auntie in her station wagon
In the driver seat where father should have been
She said you don't have much
But you'll always have us
When there's nothing else
Not much I can comprehend
'cept mom & auntie love got no end
Shall I find peril later down in life
I remember their every sacrifice
And all the strength it took
To fight every time the devil waged war

Chorus:

Aunty taught me how to conquer like Serena
Momma taught me to beat my match like Serena
And if this match I don't win
This game ain't over I'm coming back again
Auntie taught me to be strong like Serena
Momma taught me not to quit like Serena
And if this match I don't win
This game ain't over I'm coming back again
Might not had a daddy
Might not had a home
Still I was never alone
Had 2 Black queens fight for me strong
Like Serena Williams

2nd Verse:

Momma had her flaws of course
But even the best nets rip on the best tennis courts
Even best the players sometimes fall short
That don't mean that it's over that your done for
Auntie spent her nights wit a bible under a lamp
Praying God pass a blessing by a back hand
That one day she might see me again
When they took me away
I can see their hurt inside
No matter how strong those woman were
They couldn't stand losing one of theirs
But even without 'em I survived
All cuz the lessons I learned on 9.11.1999

Chorus:

Aunty taught me how to conquer like Serena
Momma taught me to beat my match like Serena
And if this match I don't win
This game ain't over I'm coming back again
Auntie taught me to be strong like Serena
Momma taught me not to quit like Serena
And if this match I don't win
This game ain't over I'm coming back again
Might not had a daddy
Might not had a home
Still I was never alone
Had 2 Black queens fight for me strong
Like Serena Williams

Give "Serena Williams (Poem)" a listen via SoundCloud:

Give "Serena Williams (Poem)" a watch via YouTube:

A while back, Sonne Riley dropped the new music video for his single, "Want Love", which explores the topic of depression & suicide saliently without soap boxing, while the raw emotion of his vocals punctuates the message in just the right way. Give it a watch & follow him on Twitter!!!

ESPN (@ESPNW) Taps @SonneRiley To Pen Poem To @SerenaWilliams In Wake Of Her US Open Loss