Tribute to Freddie Mercury
This was written in 1992, shortly after the death of Freddie Mercury, my favourite musician. Several Queen songs are referenced in it.
Little soldier struggles on, White Queen yawns
She waits to take the black knight, she has no time for pawns.
The struggle is the constant on the ever-changing board,
Light and darkness, black and white, little pawn and Lord.
The warrior, his head held high, has reached the farthest side
And faced her, white and waiting like a wedding-weary bride.
And she is gone! A new Black Queen holds sway over the
board.
His march is one of triumph! The little pawn is Lord!
They speak of his courageous play
‘But without meaning to deride
He’s still a little pawn inside.’
The board is tucked away at last, the great Black Queen has
lost.
When “checkmate” came he heard it from inside the pieces’
box.
The strong one has been humbled, but glories in this claim:
The winner is the little pawn whose soul is in the game.