Sunday, March 20, 2016

Checkmate

photo by Damien Derouene


Also linking with Poets United for "Poetry Pantry" #294 hosted by Mary.
I always have such a hard time making it to the pantry on Sundays, I am happy I made it here today.
Spring represents promise of new things and good changes, like Mary, it is a favorite season for me as well, so I am going to make a promise to myself this spring to make it to Poetry Pantry more often



Take risks: if you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wise.
~Author Unknown

I don't want to be the pawn in another man's own game
nor watch another play his hand and never do the same.

Standing on the sidelines always playing it safe,
afraid to get my sneakers and go out and run the race.

I long to reach out my hand and play the queen of hearts
and not be frightened of losing the game before it even starts.

A poet is a thinker, a dreamer, and a dweller on the muse
sometimes he gets too caught up on what another man may do..

So I shall lay down my pen and pick up the sword of life
take a swing and hold the freedom of moving my own knight.









24 comments:

  1. This is wonderful... yes a poet too often sits on the sideline observing (just like the photographer).. Love that you move your own knight.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the couplet form you have chosen, and what poet would not respond to the lines:
    A poet is a thinker, a dreamer, and a dweller on the muse
    sometimes he gets too caught up on what another man may do..
    Spot on, Carrie.

    ReplyDelete
  3. "the freedom of moving my own knight".....I like the resolve in this poem. Love the rhyme and rhythm of it, too. Nice to see you, Carrie.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is just lovely, Carrie. Sometimes we do need to put down our pen and pick up that sword of life! Playing it safe is for the faint of heart. We need to be bold in our lives. So good to see you, my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Carrie this is fabulous....I read the quote and thought wow that sounds like a mantra I could use....and then your poem swinging its mighty sword. I need to get past my fears....and your words buoy me onward:

    'A poet is a thinker, a dreamer, and a dweller on the muse
    sometimes he gets too caught up on what another man may do..

    So I shall lay down my pen and pick up the sword of life
    take a swing and hold the freedom of moving my own knight.'

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful! You go girl!
    :-) ZQ

    ReplyDelete
  7. Such a compelling poem...I especially love "the freedom of moving my own knight"---yes!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the attitude in this. You should totally pick up the sword.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yes - sometimes it pays to take a chance and pick up the sword of life - then we have many more things to write about - magically written

    ReplyDelete
  10. The idea of having to choose one or the other is a bit scary to me...

    I wish for my pen to have a pointy end. Always. Just in case.

    ReplyDelete
  11. well, let that pen be a sword and move those knights...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love your intention of independent will!

    ReplyDelete


  13. this is wonderful, and inspiring. make choices, take risks. :)
    well, as they said, if you don't jump, you will never fly...

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love all of the amazing plays on words here...great job :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your poetry is special, more so when you look inside yourself! I am well, keeping quite busy with theater projects..

    ReplyDelete
  16. A lovely write in response to the the quote!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love that action to be involved with life ~ That's the best way to go ~

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great thoughts and well-expressed. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  19. So much truth...especially like this:

    "A poet is a thinker, a dreamer, and a dweller on the muse
    sometimes he gets too caught up on what another man may do.."

    Hope your week is going well, Carrie. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I think what resonated most with me in this wonderful piece was actually the last two lines... Those rang truer to me than so many other words I've read of late. Brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I like this. Def we must take some risks to really LIVE life.

    ReplyDelete

"Our best thoughts come from others." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson