THERE IS CHESS

THERE IS CHESS

there is chess
and then
there is
the Universe

a game of the fixed and certain
a machine for generating
strategic revision after
strategic revision
endless permutations
no game
ever the same

life and death and final
conflict
across a square board,
by another name

and beneath it all
this quantum ocean
softly fluctuating
dreaming
its dreams

the dream of chess
a beautiful one, a demonic one
a clear-cut straddler
of every division
between beauty
and nightmare

the pieces waiting
at your command

ready to talk their talk
ready to follow
the script

carve
you new pathways

the dark or light wood
moving across the board
pretty much
sub-
light speed

breaking the bounds
of hyperspace
navigating
the labyrinth
inside your head