Honestly, still rambling.

A board rests on the table between us.

The tiles are cracked and pitted;

Black tiles faded and white stained

Until they're grey and gray.

You're staring at me across the board,

Eyes narrowed and not in concentration.

Quickly, you shove a knight forward,

Not considering anything past taking my pawn.

Neither of us have kings on the board—

They've not been taken;

We just haven't been able to find the pieces for years,

And so the game never ends.

Normally, you like to play the queen,

Move any way you'd like, any direction,

Whereas I play the pawn, forward movements only

Until it's time to cut you down.

And since there are no kings,

There's no end in sight:

Just you and I taking pieces, across the board and back,

In a zero-sum game.