Dire Straits

 

War is a game that the oligarchs play
to confirm their importance and try to portray
their significance and their efficacy,
and how they're remembered in history.

Like chess, it requires a great strategy:

are you willing to sacrifice all of your pawns

out-thinking the enemy with hope they’ll abscond?
A game on a board would have much clearer stakes:

an unhindered view to opponent’s mistakes– 

being able to see your opponent’s reaction
without obstruction or distraction.

But with lack of experience, how can you contend?
A player not only attacks, but defends–
you can’t hide intent inside lies of omission,

atonement not found in some act of contrition.
Balance and strategy are learned over time–
the more understanding, the higher you climb.

knowing how to refrain when you think you should strike,

reigning your words when you want to incite.
To confront with no foresight, in anger and spite
only prolongs the ongoing fight.

And your short term successes and minor defeats

have yet to inspire a hasty retreat–

you can’t solve or resolve or even the score

when opponent won’t cede to your ongoing war.

© Ginny Brannan 2026