HELEN OF TROY

Chess was my first passion before switching to poetry. Written in honor of women who play this sport.

HELEN OF TROY

I met a girl in Paris.

A fine looking Greek she is.

Hair as fair as white pieces

A queen of her own fortress.

 

She sits across the board

I spoke not a single word.

For she took my breath away

Forgot that I was there to play.

 

I’ve seen her flawlessly perform.

She has some deadly moves.

Calm and calculating

She’ll distract you with her grooves.

 

A rare opponent she is

With a killer enchanting look.

Sitting across the bench

A challenge I gladly took.

 

I've lost all sense of direction

When I saw she’s a bombshell.

She’s not just a goddess

But a champ and master as well.

 

As we face off in next event

I summoned all my confidence

I knew she’s Caissa’s daughter

With beauty, talent and cadence.

 

The moment of truth arrives

Both of us on the final round.

I waited anxiously on my seat,

Contemplating the odds of defeat.

 

She paid me little attention

Looking intently on the board

Staring I basked at her features

While my pawns are still in one accord.

 

With delicate crafty hands

She conjured a battle plan.

Opened with an aggressive stance

Blunt her move while I can.

 

As I mounted a defensive line

She sized me up with perceptive glance.

I doubted my Stonewall plan

Sicilian was my only chance !

 

With daring knight maneuver

Coordinated bishop rook attack.

Converging on my weakest square

My king side almost collapsed.

 

Shell shock I came back to my senses.

What a brilliant commander in chief.

Regrouped, I quickly castled

And breathe a sigh of relief.

 

As she pondered her next move

I marveled at her elegant mood.

So poised, even under pressure

To her my kingdom, I gladly surrender.

 

Endgame ensued with just few pieces.

Her onslaught I gallantly withstood.

Only to succumb to her angelic glances

A moved I don’t fully understood.

 

Facing such an immaculate opponent

Focus and attention - impossible !

Though I came there to win

Checkmate was - inevitable !

 

Conceding to a formidable supermodel

A game etched forever in my mind.

I gaze at her face one last time

A close encounter of the Third Kind.

by NeiL ArandA

11/19/13

Photo Courtesy by ChessCraft.blogspot.com  ~ Women Chess Grandmaster Anna Sharevich of Belarus ELO Rating 2257

 

 

Author's Note

Helen of Troy was Zeus and Leda's daughter. According to Greek mythology she was considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world. Her abduction by Paris brought about the Trojan War.

What if you're an aspiring talented young chess player. On your way to your first World Chess Championship title. Having eliminated Garry Kasparov of Russia on the first round and demolishing Anand Viswanathan of India on the second round . Magnus Carlsen of Norway manage to draw only to be annahilated by you on tie break blitz game. Reaching the finals, only one unknown opponent stand in the way between you, the trophy and the most coveted world championship title.

You came prepared. You have not left any stone unturned. Your rigorous training and long preparation made you almost unstoppable and invincible until you found out who you're playing with. You're caught totally by surprise. With this kind of opponent no defence ever existed yet nor it could ever be refuted. Losing is inevitable and bittersweet.

Reviews

[Frank]

Heheh, you never stood a chance Neil, she took you prisoner and chained you from the first moment. funny I enjoyed. Won't do the full analysis. It happens to the best of us, That is how God made us to enjoy the image of God in each one of us. I see it in new born babies, children in the prams and in the dignity of old people courageously living out their lives as God intended.

Some poems are to be read and just enjoyed without comment.

Loved it.

[NeiL ArandA]

I was hoping and anticipating that kind of response and reaction . And I think I got what I have been hoping and expecting. I have been waiting for you to have curiosity to check this piece. Since I have read in your bios that you are a dignified engineer. Most engineers are blessed with outstanding ability to calculate and formulate and solve mathematical equations inside their head. This kind of game or play is just a walk in the park for them. I was speculating if you have ever played one or at least showed interest on this sport early on in your life. I was not good in chess. My brother used to beat me all the time and there's a big prize to pay when I lose. I get to do all the chores in the house as part of the bet and deal. But I persisted and slowly got better later with the aid of books and computer. Then I switched to poetry which I never knew I had inside me. But I always wanted to pen a poem about chess and why not turn it to something that men enjoyed the most. Frank you're right on the ball with your first review line. I didn't stand a chance !!! And who cares about winning or the gold plated trophy or the title ? Woman will always have a soft and special spot in a man's heart. Perhaps God designed and created them that way. To be cherished and adored not as a weaker vessel but as a fellow helper, friend, companion and a great source of inspiration to us. Imagine a world without women and just men ... I am so glad I made you smile and laugh here. Ok ...I won't be under the hot water . I won't get any speeding ticket . HaHaHa Thanks Frank ...

[NeiL ArandA]

Close Encounter of the Third Kind - A beauty and look that is out of this world....Simply irrefutable ..

[Frank]

I did play chess, for many years as a way of relaxing from business concerns, took my mind of things in a different way. Poetry has been dormant for a long time in me, just writing the one poem per month and then little spurts. I am enjoying the site, I like the feedback, pleasant to be back. Note, machine shop engineer, but not a graduate in mechanical engineering, a graduate in business and marketing. Machine shop engineering technicians/craftsmen make thing out of metal, the Tubal-Cains of this world. magicians that took ore from the hill and made metal through fire and toil, then made it into all types of craft vessels and objects, even a sword.

[NeiL ArandA]

I knew you play chess ... I just threw it there ... OK ..thanks for the details.

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

I Simply loved this and I love Greek mythology.


My husband is Amazing at this game he plays quite well
and my Nephew Dylan has won many a times and loves the game.


Now me not too good at it but I love playing it but on a woman's
point of view wouldn't know what that feels like but I do believe
my husband does with me he can get distracted by me
but seems in the Greek mythology looks as if she flaunted her beauty
but some don't even have to do that it
is just there heart and they don't even notice how ones look and admire
them they just go on with life.




but this was a very Enjoyable read thank you for
sharing and for stopping by my page.



God bless. Benita

[NeiL ArandA]

Thanks for dropping by again Benita. Yes my first passion was chess for many years starting at tender age before I manage to go cold turkey with it and switch to poetry. I felt bad for not making a poem so I ponder my theme and approach and came up with this one. Adding this idea of playing someone who has everything in life ( beauty, talent, finesse ) pitted against someone who just simply wanted to be on the top of the world. To be in a presence of someone like that. Winning is not everything. To be given the opportunity and the privilege of being that close to someone that has everything in life is better than winning something. You are already a winner.

[Benita-Staebell M - KindredPoet]

Thank you ah I see Chess is very Honorable Game
with all the beautiful pieces my passion has always been writing dancing
and sports Swimming I am always
putting them together in what I write but there is some that have more then one passion for me anything to do with poetry writing dancing beauty my first was wanting to work with children and animals but in the end It happened as being in boy scouts and I love animals. Beautiful way of putting it I hope your family had a lovely Christmas and your family has a blessed new years. Benita

[Aethereal]

Your fantastic poem inspired me to write this tiny gift poem for you to keep as your own:

Helen of Troy

This face that launched a simple game
to Trojan shores to fetch a dame,
this breasted chest of golden fame
who set our passions all aflame
had won her chess game all the same.

[NeiL ArandA]

Aethereal ... you are so kind and awesome ! I love what you wrote ... I have to create you one.

[EileenMarie]

Great write, very well executed and thought out! Thanks for sharing :)

[NeiL ArandA]

EileenMarie. Thank you for your kind review.

[A. Amos]

This is sharp and iwitty write my friend, Thank you for sharing

[NeiL ArandA]

Thanks A. Amos for dropping by. I check out your stuff if you have some new one.

[A. Amos]

You're most welcome

[Christyn Jeffries]

This sounds like the most epic chess game ever. I hope it is based on a true story. :)

[NeiL ArandA]

That is so true Christyn ... You coined the word well . A simple chess poem turned out to be an epic battle and inner struggle.

[David Scott]

I love Chess!
I love Helen of Troy's story!
I love intelligent strong women!

Thus, I love this write!

Great write Neil.

[NeiL ArandA]

Wow I have been looking for someone that shares the same love and passion.

[Mockingbird]

i don't know much about chess, but this was a vivid scenario. i like his stream-of-consciousness thoughts throughout the game and how he knew he'd be defeated just by his beautiful and worthy opponent and how she kept her calm and grace, as he was so distracted by her. great job.

[NeiL ArandA]

Mockingbird I was smiling all the time while i was reading your notes . You keenly perceived my thoughts . I play chess and compete at some high level . This is my worst case scenario . To such opponent there is no defence . Might as well just enjoy the view . For such beauty Troy is defenseless .

[gabrielle]

Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships. It’s unfortunate that she had been poorly treated by the gods and even the mortals, who used her for their own personal vanity and political interest.

The photo accompanying this well-thought write is stunning. The progression in this piece is realistic-from admiring the physical attributes of a woman to being captivated by her intellect and shrewdness.

[NeiL ArandA]

Thanks Gabrielle for your remarkable thoughts. I agree that she was not respectfully portrayed correctly. But If power is granted upon me I will change and rewrite history.

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the story and the photo. A poet need to be a good chess player and writer. Helen of Troy is one of my favorite character in the myths. Her beauty destroyed a nation and her story did expand. I like the way you used the myths and the game of chess. Thank you for the amazing poem.
Coyote

[NeiL ArandA]

Thank you Cayote Poetry for that very heart warming compliment. I appreciated so much your presence here..