Checkmate

By Niyati Mehta

This is an unusual story- thematically the same as so many - a deep love, a loving adoration, but so starcrossed they can never meet. In fact, they always remain on opposing forces.

Strong and silent and dark.

A king of the night.

One move he makes,

Only one, with all his might.

His armies there to protect him

To fight and fall,

He has rooks and knights,

Ready to kill in a slight.

A snow-white queen -

The bravest of the brave,

Many a step she takes,

Her aim to always slay.

She serves her duty,

her king she protects,

Most important in all the land.

So our lovers two,

The king and queen on opposite sides,

One dies so the other survives,

Cursed to be this way all their lives.

And thus, the games begin,

And as soldiers lives are taken,

They wait at far ends of the field—

For a glimpse - or even a combat-

If they’re lucky.

The knights are battling;

Albeit a battle of the wits-

The dark and light checkered all across.

At last the moment, they both wait for and dread.

One move and it will all be over.

White goes first - gladly the black king falls.

“Check mate” the crowd roars.

A little is anyone aware, the king and queen

So glad to be back in their little box.

By Niyati Mehta