P-K4

I look in the mirror

reflection unrecognized

cat…or serpent eyes?

gazing back at me

beckoning, “come child

one move, two

three moves…four

up to a square with an open door

where there are no rules

and pawns become kings"

I rub my eyes

asking, “how can this be?

or is it just my imagination

playing chess with me again?”

in so many ways still a kid

yet gone, the innocence known in my youth

the game so much older

rules so much colder

one wrong move and it will be checkmate

so I play it safe and say, “pawn to king four”

I look in the mirror

for my opponent’s response

but instead see my friends

laughing and playing along a vertical horizon

waving me over to follow them:

“forget the beast - that crafty dragon

let the bishops contend with him

besides, the queen of Awe awaits us here

she lives on a chess board

made of diamonds and emeralds

but first, you must become one with the horizon

here, set this tiny blotter upon your tongue

black or white - any color you like

then come be a knight or even a king, dear

have your own castle high in the clouds”

The face in the mirror

desperately curious for something new

purrs with a grin, “don’t be a scaredy-cat

it’s only a game

and if you should lose

… still eight lives to win”

© 1980 Chris Sorrenti