Football

Fifth day of the year—

despite six inches of snow,

four boys play football.

Flute

No one plays the flute,

so it plays itself, startling

every wren in town.

First day of the month—

two old men playing checkers

lose track of their moves.

first spring afternoon—

two old men in brown felt hats

playing chess outdoors

every afternoon

in the shadow of a church

old men playing chess

The girl with blue shoes

leaves them outside the back door

to play with the stars.

eating the locusts

that ravished my only crop—

turnabout’s fair play

from Dachau’s ovens

the play of light and shadow

on a dove’s left wing

three children at play

kicking a ball in the street

till the supper call

It is difficult

to play the flute at midnight

with only one hand.