The Persian Chessboard

supposed beginning of the game called Chess

 

The Persian Chessboard

as the story goes, it happend in Persia

could have been India, or even in China

the King was bored, so he looked for someone wiser

the Grand Vizier, being the principle advisor

entertain me the King said, challenge my senses

I need something different, I'm tired of burning fences

the Vizier scratched his chin, and stared straight ahead

how about a new game, where you have to use your head

we'll use moving pieces, on black and white squares

the King will be the major piece, the rest nobody cares

capture the opponents King, to make him surrender

be careful of the others, the ones who are pretender

we can call it 'shahmat', or death to the King

and when this death is proclaimed, everybody sing

the final move is checkmate, there will be no place to run

the game sometimes in real life, the loser had no fun

the pawns and the knights, each one fell to the side

eventually then an added piece, the King's special bride

the Queen was entered in, she also had some power

she was just as deadly, cutthroat behind you in the shower

the King was very pleased, he granted Vizier a treasure

he told him, pick your price, anything you pleasure

the Vizier tried to trick the King, he made mistake instead

the game lived on and on, but the Vizier turned up dead

Gomer LePoet...

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I like this story. You create a vision of a time when men were push to learn and challenge. Chess is my favorite game. I haven't played in years. I like how you stated the truth of a Queen. Thank you for the outstanding poem.
Coyote

[Randy`s Princess]

erm interesting very never knew chess could be so interesting nice read

[Dutch Jr.]

Interesting. I like it when poems tell a story. Intriguing poem... I play chess all the time, and I do wonder where it comes from... thanks.