By: Zerlina Tang
A coffin is placed
In the lobby of an organization base
An “innocent” young girl
With her eyes closed
Sings softly to
The ashes
As an elder with a short white beard
And a twilight mask
Sighs
As he demolishes another piece on the chessboard
The black pieces are mainly present except for two pawns
As the white pawns have all vanished
Only left with the king defenseless
“The sages think themselves to be all-knowing
But we alone are wise to the virtue in those acts of folly.
In this war, not even a single pawn may be spared...
Because on this chessboard, ‘checkmate’ is not where the game ends.”
A crimson moth lands on the frozen coffin
As a stout man with a large nose
And delicate glasses says
“We are gathered here today to remember our dear comrade
In honor of her sacrifice, all work should halt for half a day as the nation mourns her passing.…”
The tall man with extravagant rings
And a fake smile merely shakes his head
“Hehe, merely half a day...
People say the Northland Bank’s true currencies are blood and tears....
But Mayor, even speaking as a banker, that sounds a little unconscionable.”
A woman with a spiteful expression
Has her eyes narrowed
“Rosalyne died in a foreign land...
But you heartless businessmen and dignitaries
Always with a convenient excuse to remain in the comfort of your homeland...
You couldn’t hope to understand
So why don’t you keep your mouths shut!
We don’t want to make the children cry...”
As the arguing continued
The coffin, now coated with ice and snow,
Is moved to the frigid cold outside
The moth lands lightly on the coffin
As it burns into ashes of flames
An icy female voice whispers
“Sorry…To have you shoulder the grievances of the world
Since you endured my bitter cold
Perhaps you have the desire to burn once again?
Then
Even in your death
Burn the Old World
Away
For me.”