Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The Game Of Life






Dust settled on the chessboard,
the queen and king no longer dance,
through the square green patches on the board.
The gardens are silent with sadness.
The little boy waited for them to awaken
and play hide and seek with the knight and the bishop.
He dreamt,
his mentor gone.
He remembered the wisdom taught,
the lessons of defeat ,
and the triumph of victory.
His grandpa's wisdom,
about the art of living.
His instruction of the game,
his kindness.
The boy became a man,
as he reached for the stars,
as he jumped over the hurdles of life,
he whispered  under his breath, " checkmate. This one is for you grandpa."

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94 comments:

  1. Brian MillerNovember 1, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    smiles...lovely piece....and what a grandfather to make such an impression on the boys and that he would live to be a tribute to him as well...it is a game well played..

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  2. ClaudiaNovember 1, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    oh he learned his lesson well and what a man that grandfather must have been..reaching for the stars is a good thing...

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  3. Pat HattNovember 1, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Relating chess to life and all that was taught and reaching for the stars, all wrapped into verse. Woderful piece. Great last line love the "check mate" remark.

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  4. AnonymousNovember 1, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    I love wisdom past from grandparents to grandchildren often in quite rituals and stolen moments. You captured this so well.

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  5. Chasing TaoNovember 1, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    Nicely crafted ayala...I love the way you depicted the path of wisdom and where it may be found..where it comes from,,,and where it goes!

    Roger ☺

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  6. BelindaNovember 1, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    Grandpas are like superheroes to the little ones. Their lessons and wisdom are seared in memory for a long time.

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  7. DaydreamertooNovember 1, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    ahhh ... lovely game to teach a grandchild too.

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  8. AnonymousNovember 1, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    Ah... how special and encouraging. Love the chess comparison

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  9. Adura OjoNovember 1, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    Amazing what a child can learn in a game... sharing wisdom from a nuturing and learned adult. we never forget those who nuture us and the life lessons we learn from them.

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  10. Jannie FunsterNovember 1, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    That's sweet, Ayala. I've never caught onto chess much, but he obviously loved his grandpa a lot. And reaching for the stars is something all your poems do -- and succeed.

    xo

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  11. ScarletNovember 1, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    Very nice lessons from the grandpa..chess is more than a game of wits...it also teaches about patience and life ~

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  12. Laurie KolpNovember 1, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    ...and those words of wisdom live on loud and clear during the difficult times.

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  13. ayalaNovember 1, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Thank you, Brian. I thought of this when my son was receiving his interviews for his residency. My dad was so proud of him...he taught him so much.

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  14. ayalaNovember 1, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Thank you, Claudia. He was an amazing man and a great grandfather.

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  15. ayalaNovember 1, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Thank you, Pat.

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  16. ayalaNovember 1, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    Thank you, darkangelwrites. So true....

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  17. ayalaNovember 1, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    Thank you, Roger :)

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  18. ayalaNovember 1, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    I agree, Belinda. I think of mine and the longing is still there.....

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  19. ayalaNovember 1, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    I agree, Bren :)

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  20. ayalaNovember 1, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    Thank you, Wolfsrosebud.

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  21. ayalaNovember 1, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Adura, we remember those that nurture us...they are such an important part of us.

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  22. ayalaNovember 1, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Jannie..he loved his grandpa and his grandpa loved him... xoxo

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  23. ayalaNovember 1, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Yes, Heaven..it's a great game that teaches so much...

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  24. ayalaNovember 1, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    True, Laurie...true!

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  25. LisaNovember 1, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    I enjoyed reading it and loved the checkmate ending.

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  26. ayalaNovember 1, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    Thank you, Oceangirl.
    :)

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  27. AnonymousNovember 1, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    Beautiful - just the right amount of pathos, and victory in the end. Well done.

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  28. RavenblackNovember 1, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Nice emotions expressed and emulating from this piece. :) I love the chess reference, I can imagine the guidance the grandfather had given to the man. Enjoyed this. :)

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  29. UnknownNovember 1, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    layered such lovely imagery, the closing sentiment a touching end. ~ Rose

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  30. VictoriaNovember 1, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    Touching and tender...I had a grandfather like that. A remarkable gift.

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  31. AnonymousNovember 1, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    So very sweet. K.

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  32. UnknownNovember 1, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    This is lovely, and you captured the special love between a child and grandparent. I wasn't as close to my grandparents as my children are. I'm so thankful they have that.

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  33. AnonymousNovember 1, 2011 at 11:19 PM

    Oh, such a lovely tale. I miss my grandparents too.

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  34. kamanaNovember 2, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    very tender moment captured in this delightful verse.

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  35. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 4:17 AM

    Thank you, Ruth.

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  36. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 4:18 AM

    Thank you, Ravenblack.

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  37. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 4:18 AM

    Thank you, Rose. :)

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  38. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 4:19 AM

    Victoria...it is a wonderful gift..I was fortunate too.

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  39. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 4:20 AM

    Thank you, Karin.

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  40. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 4:21 AM

    Thank you, Lori. it's great that your children have it...it's truly a gift.

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  41. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 4:21 AM

    Thank you, Anna.

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  42. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 4:22 AM

    Thank you, Kamana.

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  43. AnonymousNovember 2, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    A beautiful piece Ayala. Love the picture of the chessboard, garden squares and dancing pieces. The last line is so touching. Good job!

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  44. LeslieNovember 2, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    so lovely that your son had a grandfather to inspire him like that.

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  45. CMNovember 2, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Oh that was so moving. I got chills when I read the last line. Beautiful.

    My DH can't wait to teach my boys how to play chess someday.

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  46. AnonymousNovember 2, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    A strong and delightful poem.

    Lady Nyo

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  47. kaykualaNovember 2, 2011 at 12:06 PM

    The payback for Gramps is in the later success of the youngsters. Great!

    Hank

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  48. SheilaNovember 2, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    awwwww - yea for grandpa and yea for the boy who was willing to learn.

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  49. Joanne Young ElliottNovember 2, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    I like the metaphor. Those first lines are powerful and I like how you ended it. Nicely done.

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  50. hedgewitchNovember 2, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    As always, ayala, you bring us up with stories of human love and affirmation. Loved it.

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  51. LaurenNovember 2, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    sometimes only grandparents can really teach the art of living.

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  52. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    Thank you, Pervagus . I am glad that you enjoyed it. :)

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  53. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    Thank you, Leslie. He is missed....

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  54. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    Thank you, CM. I hope your boys love it as much as my sons do. :)

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  55. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    Thank you, Jane. :)

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  56. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    Thank you, Hank. :)

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  57. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    Thank you, Sheila. :)

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  58. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    Thank you, Joanne. :)

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  59. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    Thank you, Joy. How kind of you to say.

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  60. ayalaNovember 2, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    Lauren, grandparents are such a gift when they nurture and love.

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  61. MaryNovember 2, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    Oh, I love this. This is such a touching poem. As a grandmother myself, I hope my grandkids learn some life lessons from me!

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  62. Maude LynnNovember 2, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Beautiful, strong write.

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  63. mrs mediocrityNovember 2, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    this made me think so much of my son and my dad, always so close, he set such a good example for my son. very touching poem!

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  64. BaishaliNovember 3, 2011 at 12:37 AM

    a game well played ... so touching :)

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  65. UnknownNovember 3, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    Very nice piece, brings me back, not in an identical fashion, yet similar still. Thanks for that, enjoyed the read

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  66. Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being RudriNovember 3, 2011 at 1:09 AM

    Very sentimental. Nice imagery.

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  67. Shashidhar SharmaNovember 3, 2011 at 5:46 AM

    A lovely dedication.. we all learn most profound things from the people we have loved in our childhood and it stays forever... I liked this poem as I relate with it so much.. I too learned Chess from my Grandfather and some times say the same thing... this one is for you Grandpa


    Shashi
    ॐ नमः शिवाय
    Om Namah Shivaya
    http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com/2011/11/whispers-fire-faayar-faayaar-dedicated.html
    At Twitter @VerseEveryDay

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  68. James RainsfordNovember 3, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    Some great moves and gambits in this remarkable write. Loved it!

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  69. ayalaNovember 3, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    Thank you, Mary. I am sure that they will learn many things from you. :)

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  70. ayalaNovember 3, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    Thank you, Mama Zen. :)

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  71. ayalaNovember 3, 2011 at 8:08 AM

    Thank you, Kelly. It was fortunate for your dad and your son. I think of how my dad loved to teach my son and it brings back such warm memories.

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  72. ayalaNovember 3, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    Thank you, Baishali. :)

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  73. ayalaNovember 3, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    Thank you, Fred. :)

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  74. ayalaNovember 3, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    Thank you, Rudri. :)

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  75. ayalaNovember 3, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    Shashi, I am glad this resonated with you. Grandparents have a wealth of knowledge and they have patience....such a blessing.

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  76. ayalaNovember 3, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    Thank you, James. :)

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  77. AnonymousNovember 3, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    Grandson and Grandpa, learning so much about life and each other playing chess... that's a great bond. A real gift to carry throughout life. A lovely poem, Ayla. Thanks for sharing.

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  78. AmeenaNovember 3, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    I love how you used the game of chess as a parallel. So beautiful! I too learned from my grandfather and I'll always be so grateful to have had that experience.

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  79. HopeNovember 4, 2011 at 1:37 AM

    what a glorious feeling it is to say, 'checkmate!'

    beautiful words, ayala!

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  80. The Orange TreeNovember 4, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    a cool story with unbeatable message and brilliant metaphor in it, it is a pleasure to read you.
    smiles.

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  81. ayalaNovember 4, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    Thank you, Di. :)

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  82. ayalaNovember 4, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    Thank you, Ameena. I have great memories of my grandparents that I cherish...we are fortunate.

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  83. ayalaNovember 4, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    Thank you, Hope. :)

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  84. ayalaNovember 4, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    Thank you, Orange Tree. :)

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  85. KBNovember 4, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Lovely.

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  86. ayalaNovember 6, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    Thank you, KB.

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  87. AnonymousNovember 6, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    a very sweet post!

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  88. CloudiaNovember 6, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    QUITE excellent!

    Aloha from Honolulu

    Comfort Spiral

    > < } } ( ° >

    ><}}(°>

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  89. LauraNovember 7, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    oh Ayala, such tenderness in every word. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!

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  90. Quay Po CooksNovember 7, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    This is a lovely piece. If my grandpa is alive, I will send these verses to him.

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  91. ayalaNovember 7, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    Thank you, Marilynn. :)

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  92. ayalaNovember 7, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Thank you, Cloudia. :)

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  93. ayalaNovember 7, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Thank you, Laura. :)

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  94. ayalaNovember 7, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Thank you, Quay Po. That's sweet of you to say!

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