Kim Barney - Eternal Game?

A friend of mine just passed away
and so it made me stop and think:
How long the wait until the day
when I too must become extinct?

I will not hurry the time, no doubt,
for that is the coward's way out,
but when God calls and says it's time
I will begin my upward climb.

Or just perhaps it may well be
that someone else will beckon me.
I will relax and take it slow
if I must travel down below.

We had one thing in common, we
both loved the game of chess, you see.
Is there a chance it will prevail
on the other side of the veil?

Kim Barney

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/eternal-game-2/