The Queen's War

       “Don’t blame the sinner.” the pastor said with reverence. “Every single being of the human race has sinned at one time or another.  We must learn to forgive and cultivate peace.  Only then will we truly find the joy our heavenly father wants for each of us.  Let us pray…”

       We sat in a middle pew between our parents playing with the chess pieces of our game from home as the adults around us bowed their heads in prayer.  With a sideways smile to my little brother we followed suit, bowing our heads as well, fixing our most pious expressions on our amused faces.  It would never do to make a disturbance in church so Mama allowed us to bring the chess pieces with us so we could occupy ourselves, keep quiet, and stay out of mischief.  Even Mama secretly admitted that church could be a boring place for kids while the pastor attempted to get his point across to the congregation.

  

    “Amen” we all said in unison.  No one realized in the surrounding pews the drama that was playing out between the chess queens and their subjects.  They wove between the labyrinths of prayer books and hymnals taking the pawns, bishops, and knights by surprise.  The kings overlooked the action from above as the war commenced.  Strange how the queens were once dear friends and their battalions friendly comrades only moments before and now that the war had come they fought viciously and with vigor planning secret strategies at every turn.

      Our imaginations took us on so many adventures into the world of the chess queens, where everything was not as it seemed!! Within the sanctuary, on the wooden pews, the chess pieces seemed to come alive.  One time a knight tried to assassinate the rebel queen and was met with resistance, caught, and punished severally with instant death.   Several times in our exuberance we were greeted with the stern sideways glances of others.  We turned angelic faces in the direction of all which cast disapproving nods in our direction knowing Mama would be embarrassed if anyone complained.  If she was embarrassed there would be hell to pay and a long lecture to be had when we got home.   At least we weren’t causing a real ruckus.  Finally it was time for the closing hymns.   Interrupted in our play, we stood each clutching a queen in one hand as we sang the hymn boisterously while Mama hurriedly gathered the other pieces in a plastic bag and deposited it in her purse, all without ever missing a beat.   Stowed away and forced to get along, the chess pieces ceased their war and proclaimed peace would reign until next time.  Each chess queen winked resolving their differences and was friends once more.

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This is my response for the Speakeasy weekly writing prompt. 

 This week, we were asked to write a response under 750 words (mine is 458) and: 

1. Use “Don’t blame the sinner” as the first line.

2. Make some kind of reference to the media prompt- a painting called 
The Chess Queens, by Muriel Streeter.

The challenge is open to everyone, so if you’re intrigued or inspired, write your response and link up!  Click the badge below to visit Speakeasy’s site.  

     

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