Monday, November 19, 2012

Incarceration

Incarceration

by geoffreygreer
sometimes I play correspondence chess
with an inmate near Corcoran
(the game of kings
near Kings County)
his letters reveal
he keeps his cell immaculate
sometimes, in the library
he teaches others how to read
and speaking of immaculate
sometimes, in the yard
he even helps others find their way back to God
he pleads no innocence
his letters reveal
his crimes
sometimes, he thinks about parole, or escape
living where I live
he fears he's institutionalized
sometimes, he even thinks about God, after all
he understands the strategy—the theory—but let's face it
we choose the chessmen we move
we play because we like it
sometimes I try to visit him
the phone only buzzes
alarm glass diamonds
hatching his reflection
before judges and sentinels