Chess

 
 
 

first spring afternoon—
 
two old men in brown felt hats
 
playing chess outdoors

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Courtyard

 
 
 

a hidden courtyard—
 
underneath a lemon tree
 
old men playing chess

Missing

 
 
 

my father’s chess set
 
with both black bishops missing—
 
pebbles take their place

Players

 
 
 

every afternoon
 
in the shadow of a church
 
old men playing chess

Chess

 
 
 

Wednesday afternoon—
 
in the shadow of a church
 
old men playing chess

Chess

 
 
 

grandfather’s chess set
 
with a missing black bishop—
 
pebble takes its place