Check Mate Poem by Romella Kitchens

Check Mate

What were yr words you left here
knowing full force the end was near?

You were born and swaddled with poverty
on the hard streets --
of some spiritual journey you needed to
Complete...

Black men, ALL men play chess everyday
and, life tries to slay folks in every way...

People play chess, each move against the devil...
They play even though the odds are rarely level.

He meets you on the edge of time
and sets the board before you
and then figures out your mind.

But you have skill from the streets --
and from strife...
Many a 'move' has always angled
for your life.
Remember this now
You never loss the game...
The devil lies to conquer.
But, time with God will heal the pain.