Gambit

Gambit

A fallen King, he left the board,
not too long ago
Yet even with that game now scored,
a peace begins to show

Observing all the pieces strewn,
scattered in his wake
Such thoughts, the sight releases, hewn,
unsought, the branches shake

As fruit cascades on errant lawns,
and foliage, it falls
Flowers from a season gone,
with autumn's urgent calls

To grab the tiger by the tail,
with bulls seized by their horns
Sometimes you have to fall, to fail,
that's where triumph is born

So many pieces on the board,
yet finite are the squares
If in doubt, of bounds, go out
… see how well you fare

Otherwise you'll never know,
just how much you are worth
With all the things you've lost on show,
drab crops in barren earth

Cursed to be a step behind,
whilst others win the race
All too often you might find,
you could've had first place

So take the journeys, make your moves,
strike where irons hot
Mettle cooled, so hard it proves,
… better struck, than not

and when you bring the hammer down,
hit it firm and square
Glancing blows do no one proud,
to no one are they fair

Let the pieces know their place,
the pieces in your game
Their role within your sacred space,
that just isn't the same

… not the same without them,
those random barren squares
Souls strayed to reservations,
leave you wishing you were there

Past the safety of the pickets,
fences over which we stow,
away to buy the tickets
… but maybe let them know

Let them know they matter,
make them conscious of their light
Having been there, bought the t-shirts,
surrendered, waving white

Waved white above a fallen king,
from not too long ago
Let loved ones know the light they bring,
… let your pieces show