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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DOGMATIC STATEMENT CONCERNING THE GAME OF CHESS: THEME FOR A SERIES OF PICTURES by EZRA POUND

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: RED KNIGHTS, BROWN BISHOPS, BRIGHT QUEENS
Subject(s): CHESS;
Red knights, brown bishops, bright queens,
Striking the board, falling in strong "1's of color.
Reaching and striking in angles,
This board is alive with light;
these pieces are living in form,
Their moves break and reform the pattern:
Luminous green from the rooks.
Clashing with "x"s of queens,
looped with the knight-leaps.
y pawns. cleaving, embanking!
Whirl! Centripetal! Mate! King down in the vortex.
Clash. leaping of bands. straight stripe of hard color.




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