‘In chess
Someone must play
The dark pieces’
she said
It struck me
as a revelation
of a deeper, sadder truth
Through irritation
the pearl is formed
Through adversity
strength and honor shine
Through age
wisdom may emerge
What is growth
without struggle
But what is struggle
Without the opponent?
Both tied together
in a dance of necessity
All judgement requires
a consideration
of choices taken, of intent
Without challenge
no choice
But without challenge
no suffering
What gods built this
unholy paradox?
All growth is painful
in its way
and yet
those that inflict pain
seldom grow
Only those that endure
are refined
If you play the dark chess
you are necessary
and damned for it
in strange, small ways
made, like everyone
only from your choices
We are all of us lost
For we all are free to choose
But did you make your choice
Or did your choice make you?
(c) Helen Valentina 2013, All Rights Reserved
helenvalentina 
Chess? Hmmmm… in a way the “dark piece player “(there’s a phrase for you) begins at a disadvantage – having to – at least initially respond to the “pale one’s moves – a thought just struck me – ststistaically speaking I wonder which side wins most games – but er, then statistics are not my cup of choice – good piece – has me thinking.
Thank you – that is a very interesting point! I’m no statistician either, but the thought aligns well with the underlying theme of the poem – an imbalance perhaps in fairness in the good vs evil battle – but in a way I hadnt thought of, so thank you! 🙂