Monday, March 17, 2008

Barracuda Chess

They pass, the figures with barracuda eyes
and scorpion tails. They carry white porcelain
miniatures of themselves in infinite regress
across a chessboard extending to invisible horizons.
They move only on the white squares.

On the black squares stand monoliths of red sandstone
in Zion shapes that could be ancient statues
or mere weathering. No plaques declare
the names of long-gone barracuda kings
but sand piles deep around their feet.

Overhead a rippled layer of chrome reflects
distorted squares, white china figurines,
red pitted stone and black sand-edged footprints
but I can’t find my image on the underside
of the liquid sky.


Collection available! Knocking from Inside

6 comments:

Stan Ski said...

Brings to mind the ordered, confused discipline of pyramids and heiroglyphics - and how their meaning has been eroded by the passage of time.

paisley said...

i feel like this should accompany a painting,, as it lends itself to the interpretation of one...

Tumblewords: said...

Visual - Zion shapes and barracuda eyes present a perfect picture. The final line is exquisite!

Linda Jacobs said...

This has an alice in Wonderland feel to it. Cool!

Gemma Wiseman said...

Love your reflective last line. Almost as if you should be in this world, but somehow have an invisible presence!

Cassiopeia Rises said...

Well, thats saying something and then some. Excellent use of prompt.
Just love that last line.

-bd