OLD MASTERS

Over moves
of silent pawns
at my invitation
Joe attends this table
with his confirmation
at the early dawn
as an honorable hero
with a confirmation
his long arm
clutches the king
and calm queen
edges closer
in his long offering
as a master to play again
with royal care
lame with drowsiness
at his brother's loyal mate
behind his back
about playing dead
Joe remains seated
dumbstruck at his fate
yawn as he caresses
in one hand
and hammers instead
the black and the red.