"Chess without squares" - Four Poems by Nathan Thompson

March 29th
 
you feel stern today
the weather plays a game
that is somewhat like chess without squares
   Easter draws on previous sales
and the harbour is electric
 
shall I meet you at the point
   the boats are cantankerous
they are travelling tinkers
I will be wearing the Russian hat
to symbolize my lack of solidarity
 
how the sky draws in
like ears tapering to pixies
beside the 'tween times which is Irish for 'tourist'
 
I'm not satisfied with being here
so I should pay visits
but you are approaching the evening
turns its back    I forget
   the smell of jasmine helps me
up the banister
 
                the castle
is in the water    now it's not
   tides    listen to the rigging
it sounds like cutting loose from
something    stand back    a little
   snap    there we are
 
 
if the bells are in the gallery
 
it may be 5 now
but it's the same
as the clocks refuse to fix
    
probably sunnier in [insert favourite]
if I read the books right
                           the sly
maintenance of this picture is smoke gives    pause
   I've read the news and think
how adjectival    why don't I
love music the same
it's not fixed
               give the signal
for your band-wagon and I'll jump
properly clean    not because but
merciful father    I forgive you
 
 
today on the rainbow
 
spring comes
and    easier
   trying to be serious
(call me Ham)
 
it seems wrong to tell the animals
   a function of breakdown
      communication
 
                     sometimes    less deceived
the sea walks    that is safe
within the bounds of abilities
and capable    inhabiting dreams
the words left out make propositions
  
another ark passes    filled with flowers
 
   all this to think of
candle-wax and figures of speech
spilled like honey over bees
 
'get off'
         the basement shifts
to catch the sun windows grow towards
   open speech marks
                     here is
a promise
 
 
as the day goes
 
the long way
            along the beach
our chairs are in the sun
 
how many articles have you brought with you
      a cart emerges barring the road