Chess

Destruction of one piece requires vengeance from another

Until there is nothing left to take

Vacillation for even a moment can hurt

Too much is at risk to make a mistake

Insignificant pawns turn into Queens

Knights take affront and draw their swords

Bishops call for peace, yet still support

The decisions of their castled Lords

In the clearly patterned world of black and white

Characters move in simple designs

But out here where the light is dim

Sometimes it is hard to see the lines

Intent only on winning

Never seeing that it could be too late

The pieces disappear one by one

Until the kings circle alone in endless checkmate.

September 18, 2001

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