Mi Reina

Mi Reina 

I was taught to play this game by my father
I've seen many men play it
My brothers learned it as children
And still play it that way
Taking one piece
After another
And another
Then another

A piece is a piece

Love the power of your Queen
But subdue her 
Control her
She has no will within your fingertips 

These were the whispered words of my father

A queen does not merely move
She holds court
She reigns
Her presence is her power
Let her dominate over all others
Then she'll shield and support you 
And the rewards will be untold
Infinite

These were the lessons of my mother 

Set traps of unspoken promises
A Fool's Mate 
Risk nothing 
Take everything 
Sacrifice her if you must
In the end she's just another piece

I nodded in muted silence as he braced my shoulder

Guide her strength not with your impulsive touch 
to conquer
Her body is already hollowed and hardened by games played
Her position within your heart must be greater than your own

She taught me this with her eyes 
After my father laid waste to her 

Move the pawns as you will
That one there 
move it to the very edge
Trade her for a new Queen
Another piece

Lesson learned

Now I move with perfect imperfection through
The shadow and the light
For the war collides not on this board nor in murmurs
but within myself

And I've finally come to know this

I don't need a piece I can play with 
I need the Queen I can't move without 

The one I will gladly sacrifice 
the lessons of my father for