Stalemate
White, how do you allow your Queen to glow
Blush-ivory against the chest of night?
Your next three moves show me where to follow.
Our pawns align perfectly in a row
In hope to see how she waltzes with light.
White, how do you allow your Queen to glow?
Our bishops are arrows without a bow.
(They’re pinned well within Her Majesty’s sight.)
Your next three moves show them where to follow.
Rooks are peeking through their corner windows
At the smooth of her neck, polished in white-
White, how do you allow your Queen to glow?
My King’s her mirror so that she might know
How her dress-train trails stately to her right.
Your next three moves show him where to follow.
She is mistress of spilled shadows that flow
Throughout this rhythm of squares blurring bright.
White, how do you allow your Queen to glow?
It’s your last move three more times. I’ll follow.