Chess mate,
will you take white?
I’ll let you have a head start.
What is the lesson?

I’m focused on your next move.
Is my Queen exposed?
We’ve only just begun,
and you are already playing defense. 

I’m an experienced player,
but your moves are erratic. 
Why do you keep using the knight?
You shouldn’t use the same piece twice in a row. 
Maybe we should pause the game.
Let me know when you are ready.

Oh, I see.
You are hiding the King 
in the corner. 

We’re clearing the board.
Piece by piece. 
I can’t capture your King,
but I don’t want a stalemate.

Check.

What’s your next move?
Are you gonna capture,
block it,
or run away?

We have time.
A lifetime, even.
We will keep studying
each other’s moves.
Learning together.

As long as we are both willing
to sit at the table,
and come back to the board.