The Knight, Death, and a game of Chess

He returned from the crusades,
the knight saw his town, his village
laid waste by the plague
He returned from the crusades
seeing how feeble life is
he returned from the crusades
taking up his sword
for all his sincerity
brought down by a lie from the Pope
He returned from the crusades
and saw families torn apart
a wife lost a husband
a daughter lost a brother
a son lost his father
he returned from the crusades
questioning the God

and thus,
his time came
respectfully
Death came
respectfully
he challenged for a game
of chess

life is meaningless
he concur
it would be pleasant to die
to leave, and to go away
if God is present
show him miracles
a gift
a sign
or present
why does He hide?
behind half promises and uncertainty
what he needs is
knowing
he is not afraid to die

yet he needs a respite
knowing full well
it will only delay the inevitable
the time will come
when the last move is done
the last "checkmate"
and he is done

yet he is a skillful player
even yet,
even a piece of his
is not taken

yet Death is a masterful tactician
Death conquers all
Death is certain

unwillingly
he revealed his trick
yet he persevere
and he will not give Death the pleasure
of taking what is his