Patterned War

A patterned land of wit and skill
The noble warriors frozen still
In rows so straight they wait and stay
For wayward wants to start the play

The smallest cringing, for they know
They'll always be the first to go
And mighty steeds leap forward first
To prepare the field for the worst

The wise one runs in crooked lines
Attacks from far and leaves no sign
The walls can only move head on
When all the other guards have gone

And high and mighty sits the queen
Controlling space and forming schemes
Reserving strong and risking brave
And all for what? A king to save

A desperate struggle of life and death
The only sound a quivering breath
And though the battle's just begun
The victor smiles, and the game is done