Chess

a nonce sonnet

A Bishop moves
Past some Samaritan Pawn;
Eager to flaunt his new tassels,
The only brightness upon his cloaked self.
In his move –
The belly of the Queen has been exposed
To the bludgeoning of a Rook from afar
(Who has no name for sorrow or joy)
And aborts the hope of an heir.
Cornered is the King -
Between a too kind Knight
And the cousin of the Queen’s demise.
          There he falls with out-turned palms
          Calling out forsaken psalms.