Check, Checkmate

Yesterday I attended 100,000 Poets for Change, and this is the poem I wrote to share at this year's event. Other poems I shared were Misdirected Penguin, A Chance for Atonement, and Unsung Heroes (also posted below).

Check, Checkmate

The dove queen watches the eagle king play chess,

Getting into check again and again and again

Wondering if when the game finally comes to checkmate

Who or what will truly win

If humankind will all turn into pillars of salt or become

Shadows on the sides of the buildings that remain

Or if instead she will take the olive branch from the King’s claws

And bring peace down upon the Earth once more to reign

Unsung Heroes

Unsung heroes there

Whilst we are bickering here

Who is right or wrong

Sing thee the hero's song

For those in lands faraway

Who may not live to see another day

Unsung heroes every one

Someone's daughter, someone's son

Doing their job until day is done

Sing thee the hero's song

No matter what side of the aisle you're on

Or which religion you choose to don

Unsung heroes far and near

All to someone very dear

Ask not why we are here

Sing thee the hero's song

Pray for peace and freedom from greed

Pray for relief from every need

Unsung heroes every one 

Care for them as they cared for us

In our love they put their trust

Sing thee the hero's song

And pray they all see another dawn

The dawn of coming home