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Checkmate

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why will men fight and suffer to advance the interests of their masters, who fling them aside when they have no further use for them? Arthur Findlay The black king and the white king, well they didn't see eye to eye A war was looming, but not them; it was the pawns that would die They placed them up to the front, with their cavalry at the rear No side had any notion of backing down, and no side showed fear. God is surely with us, the bishops on both sides proclaimed Anyone saying otherwise would have been publicly shamed A white pawn was the first to move forward, ready for the fight But in just a couple of moves was struck down, by a black knight. Two white knights moved forward in a blazing counter attack The black pieces managed to hold the line and didn't fall back Then a white bishop moved forward in a straight diagonal line Black King told his pawns to move forward; everything will be fine. The black queen wanted action and urged her pawns to be brave But it wouldn't be her or the king that would be digging their grave One by one her pawns were slaughtered, like lambs on the battlefield A ceasefire was out of the question, because neither side would yield. But the proud white king was about, to meet an agonising fate When the black queen with her knights, declared a checkmate But there were really no winners or losers, in this senseless war Supporters on both sides wondered, what the hell it was all for. The two main players in the background escaped without a scratch And were already preparing to meet on the battlefield, for a rematch Both sides exchanged their battered pieces of the injured and the slain And maybe tomorrow or the next day were preparing to do it all again. Meanwhile the arms manufacturers, were making big monetary gain Whilst the landed gentry ate caviar and sipped on their champagne Victory parades were held in all the towns, with all the pomp and flair Hollow platitudes read out to mourn the dead, but do they really care? Written on 6th June 2022.

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Valsa George

Date: 6/8/2022 8:27:00 PM

You have dramatized the present political warfare through the game of chess. In a war, in reality, there are no winners or losers. The kings and queens will always be safe, only the pawns suffer....! They are slaughtered one by one. At the end both teams celebrate victory and 'hollow platitudes will be read out to mourn the dead'. How true.....Great metaphoric write Tom....

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/9/2022 12:15:00 AM

Thank you very much Valsa, you see it in all wars the innocent and the young slaughtered and for what? Can never understand why war is glorified, there's nothing glorious about it. Tom

Mike Gentile

Date: 6/8/2022 5:21:00 AM

Indeed, such a unique way to issulstrate the field of war Tom! Why must human beings continually find reason to kill one another! You are a master at this! Happy Wednesday!!

David Kavanagh

Date: 6/8/2022 2:50:00 AM

I’ve a feeling Tom this battle is turning into a stalemate, hard to see any situation with either side backing down, wonderful descriptive poem using the metaphoric chessboard as the battleground, we can only hope for regime change to end the damn thing soon, cheers David

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/8/2022 3:27:00 AM

Thank you very much David, I think with the west now supplying long range rocket systems has stalled the Russians for now. Putin might get desperate like a cornered rat and up his game. No other former Russian country has had to give up any territory and if people in the east want to be Russian then go and live there. Tom

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 6/8/2022 1:26:00 AM

Apart of you being a great poet it seems also you are a master of chess, my dearest friend, Tom. Profound writing that shows the depth of your knowledge and understanding. Unfortunately, what you wrote is so true and portrays today's world. Look at Putin and the invasion of Ukraine, now we see Turkey's Erdogan who wants to do the same in Greece. Every day he disputes Greece's sovereignty over the Greek Islands that belongs to Greece since ancient times. Be blessed!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/8/2022 3:23:00 AM

Thank you very much Demetrios, what is it with these despots? they think they can just march in and take land that they have no legitimate claim for, Erdogan it seems is going the way of Putin. Tom

Gershon Wolf

Date: 6/7/2022 8:41:00 PM

Lama the llama, Tom?! (In Hebrew, 'lama' means 'Why?') lol. Just love your ever-changing Home Page. Excelsior! Long live the Queen/King! ~ Gershon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/8/2022 12:29:00 AM

Lol thanks Gershon, I get around nudge nudge. Tom

Sara Kendrick

Date: 6/7/2022 12:06:00 PM

Creative way to go with this work that you have been on today's political front. Sad and it would be nice if a peaceful agreement could be made. Thanks for the visit to my page. I enjoyed reading your work. Sara

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/7/2022 12:19:00 PM

Thank you very much Sara, sadly I don't think Putin is someone you can reason with. Tom

Panagiota Romios

Date: 6/7/2022 9:40:00 AM

A unique write Tom, to say the least. Zelensky needs weapons. Does he not? So weapons are needed to save one’s country and its families. Yes, we cared here in the USA for the lost in wars. I am sure the U.K mourned the dead.evil has to be stopped. Putin, China and Iran. Earth was never a peaceful habitat for humanity. There is no easy answer. FAVING your poem. Hugs, Panagiota

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/7/2022 10:02:00 AM

Thank you Pangie, Nobody asked for this pointless war and I hope the west keep supplying weapons to Ukraine so they kick out the invaders. Tom

Harry Horsman

Date: 6/7/2022 7:13:00 AM

Today Tom, the chess board has become a labyrinth, a game how to sacrifice so many to win the war. Well Putin war has become a marathon. I wake every morning hoping to hear the news, that like Mussolini he's be found hanging by the neck from a moscow street light, .

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/7/2022 7:26:00 AM

Thank you Harry, I share your hope, the world would certainly be a happier and safer place without that physchopath. Tom

Mark Koplin

Date: 6/7/2022 5:18:00 AM

Wow Tom, I love how you described this using the game of chess. Masterfully crafted and brilliantly written. Our leaders should meet in battle, I think there would be less war.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/7/2022 5:32:00 AM

Thank you very much Mark, I totally agree with you. Putin is a classic example using his pawns as cannon fodder, but I won't mourn their deaths, they're rapists and murderers, the lowest form of human life. Tom

Bill Baker

Date: 6/6/2022 4:40:00 PM

Nice Rhyme to tell the tale of unwarranted war. Sad tale, but very real in our world today. When men (and women) in leadership positions, say they will do anything to win (grab power, money and glory), it means the innocent will be trounced upon and many will be destroyed. (they're just pawns). Thanks for sharing, Tom. Write On! my friend. Bill

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/7/2022 2:48:00 AM

Thank you very much Bill, it was the anti war song Waltzing Matilda that inspired it. Its always the innocent civilians and front line troops that bear the brunt of any conflict. Putin cares not for his own pawns as we've seen in Ukraine. Enjoy your week ahead. Tom

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 6/6/2022 2:03:00 PM

Those warmongers hide behind safe walls whilst innocent men and women bear the brunt of it all. Putin has so much to answer for, he should suffer badly when he’s eventually caught. Another great write Tom… Belle

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2022 2:34:00 PM

Thank you very much Belle, while Putin and his elite stuff themselves with caviar thousands are being slaughtered. I can't believe his own side haven't taken him out. Tom

Swetha Vangaveti

Date: 6/6/2022 10:49:00 AM

This poem should be widely circulated and explained to people. Person worship has become so intense these days and this is not just confined to political scenario. Common people get divided into groups for supporting their favourite movie star. Leaders, the stars, the celebs are all okay but it's those innocent fans and followers who suffer!!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2022 12:16:00 PM

Thank you very much Swetha, You're right, I think social media has had lot to do with it. And also the fact that it's always the innocent who suffer, those without a voice. Tom

Rico Leffanta

Date: 6/6/2022 10:35:00 AM

Pefect D-Day submission! Beaches littered with pawns! Well thought and done, Tom! Aloha!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2022 10:39:00 AM

Thank you very much Rico, worked with a man who went in on the second wave, he never forgot all the bodies he had to step over. Never spoke much about it. Tom

L Milton Hankins

Date: 6/6/2022 9:20:00 AM

Superb, Tom. Chess is always a fine metaphor, a particularly appropriate one for the Russia-Ukraine business. You write these so well. Keep at it, my friend.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2022 10:37:00 AM

Thank you very much Milton, if Putins pawns are happy to face the brave Ukrainians then good luck to them. How dare Putin threaten the west if we supply rockets and if one landed in Russia I certainly wouldn't lose sleep over it. About time we got tough with that piece of trash. Tom

Vijay Pandit

Date: 6/6/2022 9:17:00 AM

Chess game is a great metaphor--where the pawns keep dying for the king. Win for Ukraine may be difficult, but stalemate is entirely possible. Keep writing your gems, Tom.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2022 10:34:00 AM

Thank you very much Vijay, just hope the US and UK get those rocket launchers to the front line. Tom

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 6/6/2022 9:05:00 AM

Great metaphoric plunge in a chess board. I only pity the poor pawn. Great poem Tom.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2022 10:15:00 AM

Thank you very much Victor, Putin cares not for his own pawns and they go in like sheep. Tom

Jenna Logan

Date: 6/6/2022 8:00:00 AM

False declarations of battles won were toasted by the black king, but no victory will he have over the war battling inside of him. His pawns and knights lie dead on the battleground, but he'll not defeat the enemy that makes a puppet out of him. You just keep these coming, Tom. Ukrainians will not lay down its king.

Jenna Logan
Date: 6/6/2022 9:06:00 AM

Loved Findlay's quote and those beautiful chess pieces. Leaders of nations that could've ended the massacre long ago are still twiddling their thumbs. I just read that Boris may be in trouble again. Not sure what he's done now to lose favor because I'm trying not to read all the hoopla about politics, American or otherwise. However, I will be interested in hearing the evidence presented by the Jan. 6th capital attack panel when it goes public.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2022 8:33:00 AM

Thank you very much Jenna, fighting in the east has intensified and I hope Joe and Boris get those rocket systems to Ukraine in time. Dog Putin getting desperate now. Another top general taken out. Was at the front urging his pawns to move forward, I won't be shedding any tears. What about all the grain trapped in Odessa port, where's the United nations in all this grrr. While Putin keeps fighting I'll keep writing. Tom