My Ode To Chess

The game of rich and poor and kings and queens,
Of saints and sinners and of all sorts inbetween.
Young and old, timid and bold, boys and girls;
Yes, anyone can give this game a whirl.

This game teaches lessons as well as entertains
And, to those who take it too serious,
It can cause some quite serious pain.
So we'll just enjoy ourselves and the play before us.

Exercises in caution and in courage
And with some foresight and perserverance;
And above all, don't get discouraged
Because solutions will make their eventual appearance.

Moves require careful circumspection
And with close observation and thorough reflection,
One will make the best selection,
Even to command some clever combinations.

With some practice and a touch of patience
And simply paying attention to the board,
One will master good piece relationships
And soon reap well earned rewards.

This game found in all lands and climes
And has stood the ancient test of time
Continues to grow each and every day
And with each and every play.

My father taught me to play some years ago
And ever since I've discovered game secrets hidden.
I've taught the game to my children,
They in turn will play and teach theirs when they go.

I keep a set with pewter pieces in the truck
And I keep two sets hidden away at work,
I have a nicely made wooden one
And I joined a local club just for fun.

Years ago I bought a set in Mexico
Beautifully made black and white onyx stone.
But my little girls trashed them beyond a prayer
Sadly I couldn't replace them or repair.

I know how to bide my idle time away
And until I'm six foot in the grave,
I'll have some fame to proclaim,
Simply playing and enjoying this eternal game.

Grandfather's Wisdom (con Senor Diego Salas)

Wisdom of a grandfather to his grandson as he was taught.
Lessons learned in life and love and passed on again and again,
Steeped in faith and fact and experience and such.
Timeless knowledge and unchanging principles, simply
Changing applications. Lessons I teach my own and, I know,
They will teach theirs in time, in life, and in love.
Ensenanzas and dichos over capirotada and tortillas y frijoles
And on trips and annual pilgrimages to the Shrine in San Juan.
It's bailes y musica y canciones, gritos and the fiestas of life.
Tambien tiempos tristes y duros, dolores y penas.
It's tequila con limon y sal, cafe caliente y agua frio and cocoa rico.
School of santos y suenos, misterios y rosarios, compadres y comadres.
An education of little formal schooling or university, but much
Of God and family and sacrifice and self education and
Self reliance. It's the wisdom of discipline and truth and
Of understanding and hard work and hard play, of real life
And of real living. Practical truths crossing cultures and borders
Y barrios y cuidads. Knowledge not limiting but expanding
And growing. Mi abuelo's love and lessons and wisdom
And teaching are my lasting legacy and my true treasure.