Sport 36: Winter 2008
Andrew Johnston
Andrew Johnston
Agnes
I have one Moonlight
who married into my tree—
Agnes Moonlight, born
St Vigeans, Angus,
eighteen thirty six,
September three.
I have been unable to locate
a death date
for her. Does this
help? Do you
have Agnes Moonlight
in your tree?
Hotel Turangawaewae
A towel in the bath means
a towel on the rail:
a candle in the window,
a sign on the door:
Do Not Disturb means
I've made my bed:
I'm neat, I'm discreet,
I'm staying on, but
you can have my suite:
look, I am going for a stroll—
there are so many stars,
I shall choose one for myself—
and when I return the room
will be just as I left it.
Whisky
for Oscar
Sensei, they call him—Master,
on account of his technical perfection
but dealing with Sensei
is like kabuki
under water. Will you
inherit my weakness
for not going there,
for watching the movie instead—
its Sensei, its ramen, its kabuki whisky?
Some people have kabuki in the blood—
let them make the trip, and
send back paper birds,
each explaining one
of Sensei's words.