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The Non-Combatant
by Ken HarnischUh-oh, we’re starting to quarrel
And I don’t want to be engaged
In any fight I’ve lost before I put up my fists
At last, the wisdom they promised when I got old
Has just kicked in. I am examining your next ten moves
Like a Russian chess master
And I have concluded you’re going to take my knight
No matter where I move my pawns.
So I push the King over early in the match
And stand back from the table
With my palms flat against my sides
I’d rather you dislike me for being a coward
Than hate me for being right
You seem sad I’ve ended the match so abruptly
And note, with a squirrely look of scorn
That I couched my retirement in
Polysyllabic fluff balls that sound an awful lot like jargon
If I didn’t care, I’d really tell you what I think
But then you’d accuse me of loving you myself
Because I’ve learned to speak in Circles,
Fluently, like a native, I’ll survive.
It is not the most rewarding of
Existences, but it keeps me going with the
Thought tomorrow you may
Come to your senses
I’ve long since given up on thinking
You’ll ever wind up in my arms.
01/19/2010 Author's Note: Thanks Vince for the correction..:0
Posted on 01/19/2010
Copyright © 2025 Ken Harnisch
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 01/19/10 at 05:05 PM It is not cowardly to resign. It shows knowledge of the game we play, althought I do not stay up with the new method of describing moves. I stand ready P-Q4. |
| Posted by Therese Elaine on 01/19/10 at 06:08 PM Ahhh Ken -the battle -and submission -of unrequited love/lust/longing...but -never give up -there is a little something known as the 11th hour...and that just may be where things come through! |
| Posted by V. Blake on 01/19/10 at 07:27 PM "I am examining your next ten moves / Like a Russian chess master / And conclude you’re going to take my knight" is grammatically incorrect (You could say "And I've concluded..."), but the stanza is amazing. That's the worst thing I've got to say about this excellent piece. |
| Posted by Glenn Currier on 02/06/10 at 05:17 PM For me, the crux of this poem is: "I’d rather you dislike me for being a coward / Than hate me for being right" Now, THAT is true wisdom. I don't want to claim that age NECESSARILY brings wisdom, but in your case it has. What I love love love about this poem is the openness and humanity in it. I think a bunch of us can relate. I also like your ability to stand back from yourself and be honest about your own patterns and (foibles?). Thanks for a great poem, Ken. |
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