Missing

my father’s chess set

with both black bishops missing—

pebbles take their place

in the telegram

announcing the soldier’s death

a missing full stop

Where is it written

that you and I must be foes?

The page is missing …

Days

the days of her life—

surely someone would notice

if they were missing

grandfather’s chess set

with a missing black bishop—

pebble takes its place

buckets and shovels

rusting in hidden places

workers gone missing