Advancement, a jump start, opening, and combat.
Counter-play, defenses, settling in.
Maneuvering, chipping away.

Then - a fork, or pin.
A cringe.
A daring recovery?

Or perhaps not.

The inevitable comes.
The castles come down.
The king is surrounded.

Shamat.

The remaining soldiers,
Paralyzed.

But just for the briefest seconds.

And then --
The board is reset.
The pieces put back.
In meticulous condition.
The ranks are clean.
The movements unplayed.
And it is another day,
Another game,
And perhaps with more wisdom.