Yann Rolland | + Follow Poet |
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Life Is a Chess Game

Life is a chess game,
Where fools eat your black or white pawns,
Where liars replace shiny pawns
To confiscate them in your loving heart,

A chess game, where riders pass 
Without seeing you in the barren deserts,
Where horses transport you and make you invisible
Day and night, summer and winter, far from peaceful squares,

Life is a game of chess, where it is better to live 
In castles unjustly, kings, sleeping with angels,
Than push a plow, and bite the odorless dust
Fields and stones too heavy,

Life is a chess game, where friends advise you
And make you honest, or smart, or careful,
Where you must learn not to die as an idiot,
Sacrifice battles or theories, for books of poets,

A chess game, subtly Manichean and deep,
Where you can’t be impressed by the confidence
Of each other, warriors and peasants, a game of chess,
Where only a  chess queen allows you to escape tough emotions
And scarecrows standing on the chessboard of the heart..

Copyright © Yann Rolland | Year Posted 2023

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Sara Kendrick Date: 7/13/2024 8:10:00 AM Creative comparative lines you have penned. Life is unpredictable even though we like to think we have it under control. We don't have any control over anything even though we would like to think we do. Thanks for sharing this one with us. Sara K Login to Reply Yann Rolland Date: 7/14/2024 7:45:00 PM thnaks sara, for the very interesting comment, you are right, lot of things, we can't control, thank you for stopping by, and leaving a precise message

Valsa George Date: 7/13/2023 8:19:00 PM Powerful comparison of human life to a chess game. A careless move can change our fate all of a sudden. But much depends on luck too. Great penning dear Yaan. Login to Reply Yann Rolland Date: 7/14/2024 7:42:00 PM thanks valsa, we have no choice, but to play until the end, thanks for stoppinng by

Sotto Poet Date: 6/15/2023 5:19:00 PM Yann, you crafted a clever and great poem. The imagery is truly stupendous and effectively portrays life in both the ancient ages and modern times. The only thing that has changed is the people involved. Login to Reply Yann Rolland Date: 6/16/2023 5:03:00 PM Thanks a lot Sotto, for the kind and supportive comment, you're so right

Paige Hind Date: 6/15/2023 1:24:00 PM A deep poem; I liked your idea of a chess game here. Login to Reply Yann Rolland Date: 6/15/2023 5:04:00 PM thanks Paige, for the supportive comment, appreciated

Gershon Wolf Date: 6/14/2023 7:53:00 PM This is a pretty good summary of life in the feudal ages --- and today! What's changed -- only the faces, not the reality or the games. Wonderful write, O Grand Master! Login to Reply Yann Rolland Date: 6/15/2023 5:06:00 PM effectively gershon, good you noticed feudal ages, this is indeed the reality of our actual behaviours , thanks a lot for the supportive comment, appreciated

Evelyn Judy Buehler Date: 6/14/2023 1:19:00 PM So much uncertainty goes with living, and the privileged few have much greater chance of success. I found the final two lines of your amazing poem, particularly poignant. Best of wishes Login to Reply Yann Rolland Date: 6/15/2023 5:07:00 PM thanks Evelyn, appreciated your supportive conclusion

Lin Lane Date: 6/14/2023 7:55:00 AM I totally get your intention, Yann. One wrong move and we pay the price. As imperfect humans, we make many wrong moves in our lives. From some we never fully recover. Login to Reply Yann Rolland Date: 6/15/2023 5:08:00 PM thanks a lot Lin, for the very "relevant" comment, appreciated