HELEN OF TROY

HELEN OF TROY

A Poem by NeiL ArandA
"

Chess was my first passion before switching to poetry. Written in honor of women who play this sport.

"

HELEN OF TROY


I met a girl in Paris.

A fine looking Greek she is.

Hair as fair as white pieces

A queen of her own fortress.

 

She sits across the board

I spoke not a single word.

For she took my breath away

Forgot that I was there to play.

 

I’ve seen her flawlessly perform.

She has some deadly moves.

Calm and calculating

She’ll distract you with her grooves.

 

A rare opponent she is

With a killer enchanting look.

Sitting across the bench

A challenge I gladly took.

 

I've lost all sense of direction

When I saw she’s a bombshell.

She’s not just a goddess

But a champ and master as well.

 

As we face off in next event

I summoned all my confidence

I knew she’s Caissa’s daughter

With beauty, talent and cadence.

 

The moment of truth arrives

Both of us on the final round.

I waited anxiously on my seat,

Contemplating the odds of defeat.

 

She paid me little attention

Looking intently on the board

Staring I basked at her features

While my pawns are still in one accord.

 

With delicate crafty hands

She conjured a battle plan.

Opened with an aggressive stance

Blunt her move while I can.

 

As I mounted a defensive line

She sized me up with perceptive glance.

I doubted my Stonewall plan

Sicilian was my only chance !

 

With daring knight maneuver

Coordinated bishop rook attack.

Converging on my weakest square

My king side almost collapsed.

 

Shell shock I came back to my senses.

What a brilliant commander in chief.

Regrouped, I quickly castled

And breathe a sigh of relief.

 

As she pondered her next move

I marveled at her elegant mood.

So poised, even under pressure

To her my kingdom, I gladly surrender.

 

Endgame ensued with just few pieces.

Her onslaught I gallantly withstood.

Only to succumb to her angelic glances

A moved I don’t fully understood.

 

Facing such an immaculate opponent

Focus and attention - impossible !

Though I came there to win

Checkmate was - inevitable !

 

Conceding to a formidable supermodel

A game etched forever in my mind.

I gaze at her face one last time

A close encounter of the Third Kind.



by NeiL ArandA

11/19/13






Photo Courtesy by ChessCraft.blogspot.com  ~ Women Chess Grandmaster Anna Sharevich of Belarus ELO Rating 2257




 

 


© 2017 NeiL ArandA


Author's Note

NeiL ArandA
Helen of Troy was Zeus and Leda's daughter. According to Greek mythology she was considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world. Her abduction by Paris brought about the Trojan War.

What if you're an aspiring talented young chess player. On your way to your first World Chess Championship title. Having eliminated Garry Kasparov of Russia on the first round and demolishing Anand Viswanathan of India on the second round . Magnus Carlsen of Norway manage to draw only to be annahilated by you on tie break blitz game. Reaching the finals, only one unknown opponent stand in the way between you, the trophy and the most coveted world championship title.

You came prepared. You have not left any stone unturned. Your rigorous training and long preparation made you almost unstoppable and invincible until you found out who you're playing with. You're caught totally by surprise. With this kind of opponent no defence ever existed yet nor it could ever be refuted. Losing is inevitable and bittersweet.

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Heheh, you never stood a chance Neil, she took you prisoner and chained you from the first moment. funny I enjoyed. Won't do the full analysis. It happens to the best of us, That is how God made us to enjoy the image of God in each one of us. I see it in new born babies, children in the prams and in the dignity of old people courageously living out their lives as God intended.

Some poems are to be read and just enjoyed without comment.

Loved it.

Posted 9 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

NeiL ArandA

9 Years Ago

Close Encounter of the Third Kind - A beauty and look that is out of this world....Simply irrefutabl.. read more
Frank

9 Years Ago

I did play chess, for many years as a way of relaxing from business concerns, took my mind of things.. read more
NeiL ArandA

9 Years Ago

I knew you play chess ... I just threw it there ... OK ..thanks for the details.
I Simply loved this and I love Greek mythology.


My husband is Amazing at this game he plays quite well
and my Nephew Dylan has won many a times and loves the game.


Now me not too good at it but I love playing it but on a woman's
point of view wouldn't know what that feels like but I do believe
my husband does with me he can get distracted by me
but seems in the Greek mythology looks as if she flaunted her beauty
but some don't even have to do that it
is just there heart and they don't even notice how ones look and admire
them they just go on with life.




but this was a very Enjoyable read thank you for
sharing and for stopping by my page.



God bless. Benita

Posted 9 Years Ago


NeiL ArandA

9 Years Ago

Thanks for dropping by again Benita. Yes my first passion was chess for many years starting at tende.. read more
Benita-Staebell M - KindredPoet

9 Years Ago

Thank you ah I see Chess is very Honorable Game
with all the beautiful pieces my passion has .. read more
Your fantastic poem inspired me to write this tiny gift poem for you to keep as your own:

Helen of Troy

This face that launched a simple game
to Trojan shores to fetch a dame,
this breasted chest of golden fame
who set our passions all aflame
had won her chess game all the same.


Posted 9 Years Ago


NeiL ArandA

9 Years Ago

Aethereal ... you are so kind and awesome ! I love what you wrote ... I have to create you one.
Great write, very well executed and thought out! Thanks for sharing :)

Posted 10 Years Ago


NeiL ArandA

10 Years Ago

EileenMarie. Thank you for your kind review.
This is sharp and iwitty write my friend, Thank you for sharing

Posted 10 Years Ago


NeiL ArandA

10 Years Ago

Thanks A. Amos for dropping by. I check out your stuff if you have some new one.
A. Amos

10 Years Ago

You're most welcome
This sounds like the most epic chess game ever. I hope it is based on a true story. :)

Posted 10 Years Ago


NeiL ArandA

10 Years Ago

That is so true Christyn ... You coined the word well . A simple chess poem turned out to be an epi.. read more
I love Chess!
I love Helen of Troy's story!
I love intelligent strong women!

Thus, I love this write!

Great write Neil.

Posted 10 Years Ago


NeiL ArandA

10 Years Ago

Wow I have been looking for someone that shares the same love and passion.
i don't know much about chess, but this was a vivid scenario. i like his stream-of-consciousness thoughts throughout the game and how he knew he'd be defeated just by his beautiful and worthy opponent and how she kept her calm and grace, as he was so distracted by her. great job.

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

NeiL ArandA

10 Years Ago

Mockingbird I was smiling all the time while i was reading your notes . You keenly perceived my thou.. read more
Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships. It’s unfortunate that she had been poorly treated by the gods and even the mortals, who used her for their own personal vanity and political interest.

The photo accompanying this well-thought write is stunning. The progression in this piece is realistic-from admiring the physical attributes of a woman to being captivated by her intellect and shrewdness.


Posted 10 Years Ago


NeiL ArandA

10 Years Ago

Thanks Gabrielle for your remarkable thoughts. I agree that she was not respectfully portrayed corre.. read more
I enjoyed the story and the photo. A poet need to be a good chess player and writer. Helen of Troy is one of my favorite character in the myths. Her beauty destroyed a nation and her story did expand. I like the way you used the myths and the game of chess. Thank you for the amazing poem.
Coyote

Posted 10 Years Ago


NeiL ArandA

10 Years Ago

Thank you Cayote Poetry for that very heart warming compliment. I appreciated so much your presence .. read more

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Added on November 18, 2013
Last Updated on January 16, 2017
Tags: Chess, Romance, Poetry

Author

NeiL ArandA
NeiL ArandA

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