“Heads of Chess” by Shellton Tremble
I learned the game
from a Cuban boy
near the copper-green
cast of Liberty’s robe
where his family
of chemists
fled ass over teakettle
north to escape
from Fidel’s
fatal handcuffs
the father now swept
iron shavings
from factory floors
so the son could
become engineer
and my tutor
their story was newer
but nonetheless
similar hearkening
to my own parents
who fled in an
earlier time
not from jailers but
abject privation
the boy taught me well
and to this very day
more than fifty years
hence when I
contemplate chessmen
I ask myself
what would
Antonio do
(originally posted November 2013)
Poesy plus Polemics 
Great game…glad you had a good teacher!
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me too
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I absolutely love chess and have several different sets
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ahh yes – one is never enough for those who love the game
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That’s given me an idea for writing and blogging! 🙂
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Immigration is the true story of America. I’ll never understand those who want to keep them out. Unless your name is Standing Bear or something, you’re an immigrant, and even he came across a few thousand years ago.
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it has always been our unique strength
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I never took to Chess but I love your poem and the memory
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thank you kindly, Katherine
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Touching memory beautifully said.
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thank you, Professor
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Great story in this poem.
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so many stories to tell
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Reblogged this on The Dread Pirate Buttercup and commented:
I am in to games and nostalgia today. Another lovely memory ,from another lovely writer.
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thank you for your kind comments and for sharing my poem with your readers
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you are so welcome they are quite deserved .
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The owl is not cut for chess.
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how about immigration? – are you a native Brit?
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No, not a brit. But somehow i dont feel like an immigrant. Wonder why.
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sounds like you have thoroughly assimilated – I’ve always admired British culture
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I tried my best. And yes, British culture has something very magical about it.
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Reblogged this on Poesy plus Polemics.
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Until today I had never heard the expression “fled, ass over teakettle.” Brilliant. Vivid. Surely there ought to be a chess strategy called “fleeing, ass over teakettle.” We’ll call my strategy that the next time I play my dad. He always kicks mine. No, not the teakettle. Thank you for sharing.
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Can feel a touch of Hemingway in this marvelous poem.
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he did have Finca Vigia in Cuba
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Reblogged this on OUR POETRY CORNER.
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thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
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most welcome!!!
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We really are all immigrants. This is a well written and timely piece! Thank you from a fan!
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I sincerely appreciate your following my work
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This is marvelous Paul. Living in Miami I can relate to contribution of the oppressed Cubans who found their way to our shores!
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I hope and pray their post-Castro future finds its long sought resolution
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I was very hopeful when Obama lifted the sanctions that things would improve for the people of Cuba…but then Trump rescinded that. Miami is now 76% Latino, many have family still in the Island.
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these are not my politics so I withhold my own opinion here – but I can say that my Cuban friends, nearly unanimously, were vehemently opposed to lifting the embargo
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It seems the older generation feels strongly about not lifting the sanctions. the younger folks, not so much.
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Lovely Paul. Well done for your friend!
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thanks kindly, penny
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Beautiful
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much appreciated
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I loved this before, and I love it still today–BRAVO!
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many thanks
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Many welcomes 🙂
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Wonderful setting by the “copper-green cast of Liberty’s robe”. Two little boys began a new life while Antonio taught you the ancient game chess that has no borders.
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teenagers actually – while I knew how to play before I met Tony, what I learned from him were the powerful strategies and complex subtleties that stood me strong for the rest of my life
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not sentimental, but still touching
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much appreciated
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A gentle read of a graphic insight, well written, Mr Lenzi.
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much appreciated
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