checkmate.

pawns fall
as blood paints
the checkered landscape
crimson

the rook charges forward
size and strength
are deflated
to simple flesh and bone

the emperor’s emblem
stained
on the armour
of the dead knight

while forging ink
in their texts
bishops are slain
the strategy failing
to reach royal ears

as she glides
across the battlefield
the proud husband
watches his queen
dance for the last time

as the king
nears his fate
he sees around him
for the first time
the history of his subjects

when none shall be left
the true king will remain
every piece resurrected
reminded of each move
they used to make

clash of civilizations(?)

wrapped in a shawl
under the midnight sky
he lay on the cold sand
resting his head on scrolls
history, philosophy, religion
mathematics and medicine
close to his heart he holds
the words of his creator
and the prophetic wisdoms
the type of knowledge
that illuminates a man’s path
through the dark
in the distance is his destination
a neon metropolis
echoes of its exuberance
fill the desert sky
he scratches his beard
though he knows much
there may be much more
he could know
though he can give much
there may be much more
he could take
the city’s bright lights
flash upon his face
and slumber takes him away

her.

ripples and waves
scar the blue sheets
on her side
of the bed
an ocean of emptiness
again
i close my eyes
to try and catch a glimpse
but she
keeps disappearing
into the mist
she doesn’t say
goodbye
she just sails away
emerging from my slumber
i go to splash my face
finally awake
not lost in the depths
of my dream
but i miss her
and her face i’ve never seen

want/need

mecca

it’s strange
now that i am so many miles away

i realize
i had been so close

yet

felt

so

distant

now looking toward the east
i long to place my feet on the white marble
as pupils reflect the onyx cube

slowly raising them towards the sky

i wonder

what parallels this marvel
in heaven?