Rooks, Pawns, and Swords of Caliber

Using a chess board for poetry. :D

 

The pieces, laid out strategically like chess

All the King’s men prepared for battle

Stashed behind burned out cars and empty wooden crates

The maddened look on each face

Burning hatred in the hearts of the opposition

 

Forceful words and fiercely piercing looks

Transferring like currency, they are flowing like water

In exchange for curses and cold complacence.

Knuckles pop and clips click in place as guns are cocked

Ready, aimed, set to fire.

 

One move; one move was all it took;

A watchful pawn, an anxious rook

A nervous twitch to ease an itch

A steady hand to flick the switch

 

Curses dissolve in the alleyway heat

The pieces fall, spilling red pride in the gutters and grates

The knights collapse in their mighty armor,

the bishops beg forgiveness as they pour their souls

On the cement battlefield board

 

All feel remorse now, as they lay dying for their mighty king.

Realizing they are all pawns, they take a last breath

Clutching their calibered swords close to their hearts

As their king sits in the shade of his castle

Out of the alleyway heat. 

Reviews

[Steven Szepietowski]

A very clever and detailed piece. I've had a frustrating history with chess. I've never really gotten good at it, and I can't really explain why, I guess my brain just doesn't think the way a good chess player should. There are several good lines, as robwils had noticed. I guess I couldn't help myself diving in deeper and wondering, "Why give up everything for the king?" it must be the socialist in me. But from a modern or even post-modern aspect, this piece is actually somewhat romantic, and leaving us at the end to wonder. I guess what did it for me was the king sitting in the shade, sort of an arrogance and lack of appreciation perhaps. Because of course to enjoy chess on a philosophical level i suppose you must seem to think using strategy to save one piece is a good idea. Socialist chess, on the otherhand, would probably be humorous and stupid. Like a board full of pawns! well, now I'm getting off the topic. Good work.

[Robwills]

Clutching their calibered swords close to their hearts;
Knuckles pop and clips click in place as guns are cocked


Calibered works well as metaphor,let's make it a word then, good stuff