Sunday, July 22, 2007

THE BALLAD OF THE QUEEN


The queen is the most powerful piece,

preening and casting her eye down deep diagonals
that others do not see or travel.
Knowing that...
the knight will always dodge aside.
the pawn lines (in the end) are always ragged.
castles always descend in straight lines.
and that black and white is anything but simple.

Knowing that despite everything,
the kingdom falls with the King.
(She circles him) turn after turn defending,
what she can never be.

Then finally flings herself forward in bold defiance,
and as she stoops,
in the very moment of defeat
she is,

pure majesty
and truly free







[poemtrain]

11 comments:

Rhian said...

Sigh. You sure do write pretty Emily. I liked the moves being tied in as characteristics of each piece. This stanza though - i REALLY liked:
Then finally flings herself forward in bold defiance,
and as she stoops,
in the very moment of defeat
she is,

pure majesty
and truly free

I almost wanted to fling myself with her...i know it sounds nuts, but i did.

Rebecca said...

I don't think I'm the best 'understander' of poetry in the wordl - but that is FANTASTIC!!!

Anonymous said...

"...The queen is the most powerful piece..."

The king can only 'castle'. The queen owns the field.

Ann said...

Great poem. Loved the imagery.

T.A.Chase said...

Wonderful poem, Emily. I'll never look at chess pieces the same.

Julia Phillips Smith said...

"casting her eye down deep diagonals
that others do not see or travel."
Wonderful! I also loved:
"and that black and white is anything but simple."
What a great concept to explore. Nicely done.

Anne D said...

I like this one Emily, its a great metaphor for how strong women can really be - it reminds me of the trailer out in the theatres for Cate Blancett's new movie

"England will not be defeated while I am Queen!"

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

That is fantastic, Emily! You've summed up the game in a way that I'd have never thought to even LOOK at it. (did that make ANY sense whatsoever?)

Robin L. Rotham said...

Wonderful piece, Emily! I'll bet you could use it to recruit some new chess players -- it really captures the feel of the game.

Lisa Andel said...

I'm starting to feel a real bond with Rebecca. I'm not a great 'understander' of poetry either, but I got this one, and it made all kinds of sense to me.

Finlands finest said...

I really liked the strength and grace of the queen. Wonderful imagery. I will never look at chess the same again!