Chessmen of Fate and Mephistopheles’ Laugh

Chessmen of Fate and Mephistopheles’ Laugh

Kings and pawns beneath a sulfur sky,
Their fortunes weighed on polished boards of wood;
A whisper coils where hidden bargains lie,
And Mephistopheles laughs where empires stood.

The Ottoman sultan bowed at Vienna’s gate,
A knight’s false mercy slipping through the cracks;
The diesel roar of tanks at Dunkirk’s fate
Confirmed the cost when moral lines go black.

Contracts inked in smoke-filled cabinet rooms,
White queens traded for gold and fleeting peace;
History’s pulse in those decisive wombs
Beats on—each echo bidding conscience cease.

Now avatars in glass-lit halls convene,
Their moves discreet, behind encryption’s veil;
Climate, trade, and borders all convene
On scripts that court the devil in detail.

Yet pawns may stand and strike with righteous hand,
Reclaim the board when darkness seems too vast;
For though ambition wields a devil’s brand,
The human heart can checkmate darkness cast.

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About the Author: Sarah B. Royal

Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.

Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.

Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.

Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.

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