Let the record show
That the Countdown to War
Was a clock that was started
By Black. A provocative act.
White responded in time
With a Knight in the air. The
Goal was the centre, the tactical
High ground of Chess.
Black responded with vim. Sent
Up a Knight of his own. And soon
There were four in the air
To cover the Pawns on the ground
Now marching forward, encouraged by
Bishops and Queens in the absence of
Kings ensconced in their Castles
With their Rooks at their sides.
Now this is the end of the Opening,-
The skirmish a gambit. Will a truce be agreed?
Or will they fight on and go into
The next phase? The time reveals more.
______
gw2010
My father and mother used to play draughts each evening when I was a girl. My father always won - he was a much more logical thinker than my mother (like the farmer and I in Othello, which I hate because I never win!). One night my mother had had enough and she picked up the board and the draughts and threw the lot up the fireback! Ah what wonderfully dramatic things one could do in the days of open fires.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, what drama!
ReplyDeleteMy father taught me draughts. I even won the school championship for my year. The prize was a large Easter egg. Fortunately I didn't pursue my career in draughts, a game I found extremely boring.
I'm a sucker for coincidences.. How is it that just as I reach the point in re-reading Bulgakov's "Master and Margarita" where Behemoth cheats at chess, you start posting poems about the game? Are you in league with Woland?
ReplyDeleteHello Gedle,
ReplyDeleteI'm no longer surprised by the coincidence and synchronicity in our everyday lives. Have to confess I haven't read 'Master & Margarita' or 'Eight' mentioned by Gerald England in a reply my post Another World Cruise.
Thanks,
Gwilym
I got told to read it because it is a classic and something I wrote reminded the recommendor. The Devil visits Moscow in the thirties accompanied by a demon or two, a naked witch and an enormous cat with a fondness for vodka and chess.. together they "redeem" an author disillusioned by the political censorship of the time. One of those books that (if you happen to be in the middle of it) makes everyday coincidences seem spookier...
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work - enjoyed your "endgame" and the quote from "bouillabaise" too... very much
Thank you Gedle,
ReplyDeleteI've made a note of the title and will have a look for it in our main library, which has all sorts (!) probably sometime next week.
Best for 2011,
gwilym
ps -
ReplyDeleteI've just started "The City of Joy" by Dominique Lapierre. I like it.