The Chessboard

Jason Brown. “Chess.” 25 March 2013. Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic

There is a chessboard in my house.

That’s been passed down for generations

One day, I decided to see

What would happen if I moved a piece

The next day to my delight

The opposing team had moved their knight

But who is the opposing team

Because they are not anywhere in sight

I closed my eyes and imagined

Little armored men

Who pushed the pieces into place

With subtlety and grace

There is a chessboard in my house.

That’s been passed down for generations

One day, I decided to see

What would happen if I moved a piece

The next day to my awe

The opposing team had moved their pawn

But who is the opposing team

Because they are not anywhere in sight

Suddenly I wondered who was the opposing team

For they only moved when I was asleep

I closed my eyes and imagined

A person in the night

Who moved the pieces into position

Without any hesitation

There is a chessboard in my house.

That’s been passed down for generations

One day, I decided to see

What would happen if I moved a piece

The next day to my relish

The opposing team had moved their bishop

But who is the opposing team

Because they are not anywhere in sight

I dreamt about who would move

The opposing team’s chess piece

Perhaps it was a mouse

Who thought the chess pieces were cheese

All I know for sure

Is every single night

This mystery man comes by

And continues the fight

For this man is not a stranger

In fact, he is I

Who walks in the night

When I should be getting shuteye