James Thurgood
James Thurgood was born in Nova Scotia, grew up in Windsor, Ontario, and now lives in Calgary, Alberta. He has been a general laborer, musician, and teacher—not necessarily in that order. His poems have appeared in various journals, anthologies, and in a collection (Icemen/Stoneghosts, Penumbra Press).
To a Teacher in Kangwon Province
James Thurgood
(Summer 2020)
a blazing afternoon in July
you stepped past our wooden gate
in crisp charcoal suit
milkwhite shirt
red tie with gold pin
gleaming black leather brogues
to my faded shorts, tee-shirt
bare feet
you bowed
I nodded
we shook hands
till I withdrew mine
you left your shoes
outside our door
that evening
I poured you beer –
you took glass and can
from my fingers
and poured for me
I see you
your wife and son
where town touches
Demilitarized Zone
watching deer, goats, cranes
return to landmined hills:
may no explosions
blast your dreams
at the Farewell Banquet
you danced with my wife
- asking if it was all right
a third time
we all danced and sang
outside
in still darkness
we kept repeating
promises –
unwilling to part
without a word or gesture
that could not be lost
in translation