Love-Chess

The instant that they pop the question
and the moment that we say `yes'
gods say` let the sport begin'
that goddamned game of chess.

It's not that we do not try
to decline the queen's gambit
the `move' is by then too, too strong
to let us out of ambit .

We lose our pawns , we lose our rooks
unaware, benighted yet unseen
we thrust and parry and still we are
lanced a-back by the wily queen .

In this bootless game of you and me
I am just the feckless king
itemised, numbered ,by myself
forlorn, and waiting in the wing .

Am castled in that darkened corner
so vulnerable to the shiny knight
unlaced ,stripped , without an armour
A Lear , abandoned in the night.

I full well know how it ends
sooner ,or maybe, a little late
I'll be toppled, usurped ,uncrowned
sheepish ,silent , in my mate.......