Chess on the Mall

Strolling along the downtown mall

People watching during the late fall

While Denver’s daylight was just great

And the snow decided to wait,

 

I saw men who looked out of place

Next to walkers moving fast paced

From one retail to another

Never pausing, no need for cover

 

In the blue skied noon time weather

Balmy enough for short sleeved wearer

Sat several guys bundled in coats

And flop eared caps the size of boats

 

Pulled down over their hairy brows.

Unkempt and odorous as cows

Thank God the breeze that blew down wind

I up wind, they did not offend.

 

They did not huddle in a doorway;

They sat across ready to play

A game they obviously knew

Enough to play so fast they flew

 

Through the moves so complicated

I would have thought to be elated,

But not one smile cracked craggy face.

Their moves came at a frantic pace.

 

The thousand clowns passed without sight

They moved in what was just like night

Oblivious to the battle

Played out in front of business prattle.

 

Juxtaposed against each other

Three piece, shined shoes, and sockless wonders.

The wonders moved a piece so fast

I couldn’t keep track of speed amassed.

 

Surely it was faster than the breeze

That blew by and helped keep me pleased

To be standing just where I was

To see exactly what genius does.

 

Einstein never wore socks, because

Eventually his toes would cause

The cloth to wear and then give out

So he’d stroll around out and about.

 

Unlike these gents who sat unwashed.

Still I could see him counting cost

Of one move instead of the other

Figuring out how to beat sockless wonder

 

Who would have sat across from him

Hopefully just a bit down wind.

I think he would have been proud

To do battle with the unwashed crowd

 

Of geniuses who sat on the mall

That delightful blue skied day in fall.