3. End Game

What passing-bells for those who die as cattle?
- Wilfred Owen (1917 - Craiglockhart War Hospital, Edinburgh)

one king surveys the board
almost now deserted
the soldiers dead or dying
the bishops gone
and too the queen

perhaps a cornered knight
or an isolated rook remains
but whatever it is
it is not enough
to win the game

the cost was great
the gains were small
and then the cause
whate'er it was
is lost, forgot

but kings can't die
and so he offers the other truce -
it is refused

that other king must seize
the chance to win

two token moves are made
not quite a skirmish
more a ploy
for now there's nothing more to do
before the coming mate in two

and so he leaves
the field of play

and thereby wins another day

______
gw2010
Wilfred Owen died on 4th November 1918. He was aged 25.