The King returns to King One,
His unfaithful foray discreetly done.
The misdeed itself was just for fun.
He rejoices in his Queenly reunion.

The Bishop takes Pawn on Queen Rook Two.
The poor lad was but twenty, too.
A priests life gives him much to do
And stronger doubts about what's true.

The Knight advances to King Bishop Three.
His only desire to remain free
Of dishonor, greed and hypocrisy,
Picking his way through the melee'.

A Pawn moves quickly to King Pawn Four
But too late, a victim of war.
Six years old - he deserved more
And a mother's faith is tested sore.

Disease-ridden, with no will to survive,
A Bishop is taken at Queen Knight Five.
Finding no reason for being alive,
He lost the heart to continue to strive.

The Queen threatens at King Rook Six.
Freely thinking gives her her kicks.
Handling handily her bag of tricks,
Yet inferior still - the label sticks.

The Castle doubles at King Seven.
Such awesome power to pride is given.
As Satan tried to overcome heaven
And mankind continues to be driven.

A Pawn advances to Queen Eight.
Promoted to Knight, declares Checkmate.
The human pieces are constrained to wait
While divine players decide their fate.

Copyright 1983 Louis J. Rose All Rights Reserved.