j’adoube

you must have thought i was
so silly,
singing, stargazing,
rambling about a
king and queen.
i know more now:
the sway of bishops,
the charge of knights,
the green stains of grass.
even though we will never play again,
i must resign.
i know more now:
you will always
 win.

is this seat taken?

When you get home,
you’ll sit next to him on the couch.
You might hold his hand,
or cross your arms over your flat chest
And you will say
“I met her”
And he will turn to you,
queries in his eyes.
You will tell him that we talked about
your classes,
and how often I visit
And the whole time,
he will be rubbing at his [...]