David Maverick © 2007
Strategy must play out slowly
protection is tantamount
but so is lethal aggression
the squarely stark contrasts
of extreme dark and light
laid out before me
stir my essence
fire my soul
rally my spirit
ignite my wonder
whet my imagination
engage my player’s drive
with the need to be right
absolutely
wholly wrapt – I ponder
I scheme
I calculate
I can feel sweat
on the verge
but I must not
to show vulnerability
to hint at fear
is deadly
I must stay cool
this situation
is at once familiar
yet it feels
exotically foreign
strange
dangerous
caught in the grip
of debilitating angst
I also feel the stir
of indignation
does he think me a fool
that I would fall for his ploy
be drawn into his trap
his feeble transparent gambit
I will not
but I feel a longing
as I search for discovery
praying I have not
exposed my hand
anxiety gnaws at my resolve
the sensation
of a hollow
empty place
deep within
echoing with uncertainty
but I embrace the moment
I believe I see his truth
his diabolical vision
it is offering me
just enough answer
that I combust
with questions
but I feel they are
the right questions
to unlock my truth
to guide my path
while I’m held
suspended in inquiry
transfixed
by this beautiful mystery
suddenly — I feel elevated
by insight
impaled by vision
yes – yes
I see it
I see it clearly
my perfect move
I must make it boldly
but carefully
because everything rides on this
why am I so intense
you wonder
is this a matter
of life and death
you ask
oh no
my friend
oh no
it is far more serious than that
*
rob kistner © 2021
Poetry at: The Sunday Muse
Poetry at: poets & stortellerd
Poetry Inspired by Ecological Change: Earthweal