Pawn's Place

As the smallest of all the King's men
Pawn questioned his place
So he put on an attitude of pride with a grin
And let his journey begin

Pawn first came to Rook
"Am I one of the most important?
For the front line space I have took,
Go ahead and take a look."

Looking down on Pawn, Rook said,
"You little pea brain of a man,
Your life is as useless as a short piece of thread,
So easy for the Queen to shout, 'Off with his head!'"

Not receiving the answer he expected,
Little Pawn moved on to another in line
The one with the moves most hectic.
This time Sir Knight he did pick.

"My dear knight would you agree,"
Little Pawn began, standing tall
"That there is no one more precious than me,
For you never number even three."

"Poor Pawn, there may be more than two of you around,"
Started Knight in a low voice,
"But when it comes to covering ground,
Your argument is less than sound."

Discouraged but not broken,
Pawn focused his attempts on the wisest around
To Bishop his ideas were taken
Although trying hard to keep from shaking.

With less confidence, poor little Pawn began to say,
"Wise Bishop please tell me I am right
That in this game I am important at play
And in battle without me, we wouldn't last a day."

A creepy look crossed Bishop's face
Making poor little Pawn jump back.
"Mere maggot, don't you know your proper place?
Now watch me work and give me some space."

Two more to talk to, to understand his fate.
First to the mighty Queen
Reminding himself to stand up straight
To her he would present his debate.

He began "Sweet Queen I have a cry,
Please help me solve this problem
And excuse me if I pry,
But am I your most important guy?"

"You silly little Pawn, Why such a thought?"
She began with a smirk,
"Everyone has a position to be fought,
But you are not in the most important spot."

Poor silly little Pawn walked away with his head hung low.
Desperate to hear his reason for life
So to the King he must go,
There his reason for life he would know.

To the King he said on bended knee,
"Almighty King, I have searched across the board,
Inquired from all I could see,
Trying to understand why you would want someone like me."

"Dear Pawn, why so down?
What have you heard to make such a statement?"
The King's radiance shown from his crown,
Helping to lessen poor, little Pawn's frown.

"On the front line, I am one of eight,
An easy sacrifice in war,
Doesn't that seal my fate.
And my short distance moves, I'm sure you hate.

"I only move forward in battle, so I cannot retreat,
That makes me a terrible solider
Especially when near defeat.
Please King help me make this journey complete."

The King stood his ground,
Lifted Pawn's eyes to the sky
"That's exactly why I need you around
And in your spirit, My victory is found.

"Victory is only won by moving forward
Even if it is one step at a time.
And the whole time you are striving toward
A crown waiting for you across the board.

"You are the most important to me you see,"
The King said with love,
"So take and walk in this gift humbly
Because in your battles, you represent Me.

"And next time you question My want for you,
Come directly to me, my child.
For no one knows you like I do,
And my love abounds for you."

Pawn now knew his ultimate place
As a child of a king.
He could now walk in grace
With His King's mercy and glory shining on his face.