A (Not So) Simple Game of Chess

Lo! Sixteen soldiers in two rows,
the war will start when white Pawn goes...
I see you creeping with your knight,
upon this field of black and white.

 

My Bishop's ugly and so mean,
now watch him take your lovely Queen...
The future's dim, no longer bright,
upon this field of black and white.

 

Lo! Castle now to save your King,
watch for the hell twin Rooks will bring...
You're in check, victory's in sight,
upon this field of black and white.

 

Soldiers are scattered from this fight,
upon this field of black and white!

Author's Note

I chose a Kyrielle Sonnet because I fell in love with my refrain... It's not normal for me to center a poem around a refrain, but it worked this time!

Reviews

[R J Askew]

Nice one. I enjoyed this one. Was trying to get going this morning. Turned on a little light Metallica and read this strong poem. I like the sharpness of the black and white. I want no grey this morning. Was also thinking about how US forces have on occasion deployed Metallica in various war zones and how such music can terrify. I also recall the stirring chess game in the Harry Potter film where various pieces are atomised. And in The Tempest where chess features in a love setting. And in The Seventh Seal film where the knight back from the crusades plays chess with Death. Favourite line: 'Watch for the hell twin rooks will bring' which has a certain martial elan about it. Chess fascinates as it is both very simple and yet can be fiendish complex, as your headline captures. Also we all, men especially, love competition. And the game normally produces a winner. The headline might also suggest you are writing about more than chess. Guess what I counted the lines before I read just to see what you were up to form wise. It all hangs together tightly, like a well set out chess board. Very pleasing.

[Dizzy-Izzy]

I like the idea of falling in love with a refrain...

[Angel Baby]

I truly enjoyed reading this poem as I love the game of chess. Well Done!!

[Mark D. Chevalier]

I think it worked well. I liked the chess theme and the tension you built between the players was palpable.

Good refrain!
Mark

[R J Askew]

8 syllables per line...also love 'The Hell Twin Rooks'. So satisfying to unleash your Hell Twins towards the end of a game when the board is open and the foe on one knee.