"Let's play chess," Dad said.
"I'll teach you, Son.
You'll learn in no time.
Playing chess is fun."
Some pieces move diagonal,
others move straight.
And it is the knight who moves
with a galloping gait.
The queen can move anywhere.
The rook has a straight line.
"Just move a piece.
Give it a try.
I know you will do fine."
"You can tell the bishop.
He has a pointed hat.
Playing chess is easy
if you remember
all of that."
Thanks to my friend Linda Andersen for letting me know about National Chess Day. Do you play chess? What other board games do you play? Checkers? Monopoly? Candyland? For today's prompt, can you write a poem about a game you like to play?
Today is Poetry Friday and the Round Up is at Laura Purdie Salas' blog, Writing the World for Kids. Gallop on over to HERE to read more poetry. Have a great weekend.
Thanks Laura for hosting us.
When I feel nervous or anxious, my body is asking me to relax. Sharon Hackleman
Had no idea how to play chess (Your poem would have helped!), but for grad assignment, needed to recommend books or sites to engage a fifth grader in doing more reading. It was an online chess site that hooked him. Mother protested online sites did not equal reading; my professor produced evidence to the contrary. Hard as I tired, I never was convinced the mother have me more than lip-service agreement; never really believed she totally bought it! Felt sorry for her son......Thanks for reminding me how complicated the job of teaching is....parents--greatest allies and foes. Peace! God bless.
ReplyDeleteChess is a great way to hook kids into reading and playing. I wonder if Mom knew there are college scholarships for chess players. It takes some high level thinking skills to become good at the game.
DeleteThanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
The directions are good, Joy, but the poem also has such a loving tone. I just spoke with a girl at my school who is studying chess, & creating her own chess set. The beginning pieces were there, ready for paint. They were marvelous. Thanks for this lovely story poem.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteYou wouldn't be able to play Chess by reading this poem. I was working for humor with Dad saying it is easy, all you have to do is follow the rules. I thought middle school kids would be able to see the irony. I'll have to take this one back to the drawing board and push the humor more.
I never played chess! Maybe it's not too late to learn?
ReplyDeleteI don't know Diane. You're never too old to learn something new, BUT I know for myself if I have the time to sit down and concentrate on playing chess, I'd rather spend the time writing a new poem. Just saying....
DeleteHa! Super simple, if you just remember all of that:>) I love the warmth of the father to his son here...Happy Poetry Friday!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura. I really enjoy finding out about some of the obscure days that can be celebrated. Life should be a celebration.
DeleteCan't wait to tell my chess-lovin' hubby about NCD! Appreciations for the alert.
ReplyDeleteMy games are Boggle, backgammon & lotsa board games. But for Candyland, I only like playing on the original one. And am on the hunt for that. Our post-college daughter is sad that we can't find the old, beat-up original one we played with all thru her child days.
This prompt is excellent - thanks for sharing the poem & everything.
Joy,
ReplyDeleteI got the humor. If you plan to revise, you could compare learning to play chess with other things kids learn that takes practice and lots of time. I'm glad my blog inspires poetry topic ideas. That means so much to me. Thank you very much for the shout out. It was so kind of you. I never learned to play chess but I'm not too old to learn either. ;) I'd like to add that some families have Game Night each week. Isn't that awesome?
Yeah, right. Chess is easy. I TOTALLY got the humor!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary Lee. I knew you were smart.
DeleteIt does seem like I enjoy writing poems for the youngest set.
ReplyDeletepoems by kids