Red mirrors White on a patchwork board

The pieces move only to their master's word

Knights sharpen swords and Bishops fix staff

The haughty Red pieces thinking they'll have last laugh

The Pawns charge ahead, the forward defense

The Knights move in "L"s with strategical sense

The battle of logic and risk is now underway

But only one side will emerge from the fray

I stray from the act, for White always wins

And search for where new fun will surely begin

Creatures in the courtyard rush to my side

But then wander away for no food I provide.

Still some linger, begging for attention

Yet from me they recieve an equal affection.

Something lingers, and to me it calls

It seems some urgent has me in thrall.

Back to the board, through painted hedgework

I seek to find what in shadows does lurk

Yet to my despair, there's nothing there

But unfamiliar tones linger in the air

I return to the game of red against white

Wondering who has won this fight

The pieces have fallen, the board is stained red

It seem that, alas, the White Queen lost her head

So back to my shelf and with my dollies I sit

Hoping in the next game she regains her wit

I was mistaken in my thoughtless jest

Perhaps the Pale Royals are not the best

But White does tend to win, if this time was lost

A Pawn will replace her no matter the cost

And all of these things are locked in my head

So sit attentive and watch my Requiem in Red