Daily play

We are playing chess.

But in this game

I win insofar as

I surrender to you.

I am exalted if

I let you conquer me.

I witness you every day

Moving your Holy pieces

—Your Bishops and King,

Rooks and Knights.

The crooked darkness

They embrace of my being,

Inviting me to release

One more pawn of my slavery.

So, I hope in your final victory:

That I may rest naked

At your feet, by you defeated,

To be clothed in nothing

But your love unending.

With gratitude to the community of the Incarnation Monastery, Berkeley CA, for their hospitality, both material and spiritual.