I cannot confess
to any success
playing
chess
and nevermore now
since
mine dog Dennis
—vicious brute!
—sharp of tooth!
has, forsooth!
—finished
the King.
Or, almost.
The beast
heretofore lieth
under mine table
chewing on some thing
methought was a bone…
but no
nonny nonny no.
‘Twas the King.
—Alas and alack!
The thing
is King
no more.
A sneak attack
whereupon
said brute,
confronted
subdued
scolded
and
marked
for banishment,
now groveleth
for all hims is worth
on mine floor.
Thinketh thou that the tiny wag of thine tail wilt redeem thee, miscreant?
Arrgh! Poor little Den-Den! It’s okay! I forgive thee pretty much anything.
Even the destruction of said King.
*******
Composed for Day 16 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge with Two Writing Teachers
Discover more from lit bits and pieces
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
lit bits and pieces 
Thank you, thank you, thank you – Fran! I was missing Dennis, and this was such a fun Shakespearean romp! “But no, nonny, nonny no!” Just perfect and a perfect photo of the poor brute. You are a master of meter and humor and dog joy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you enjoyed this romp, Joanne! Love that word. Poor Dennis. He really was so contrite. Background: Micah had the chess set out and knocked the king into the floor…I must confess: it IS very bone-like! Here’s a new favorite photo of Dennis having a sweet moment with Scout: https://litbitsandpieces.com/2024/03/08/serene-senryu/
LikeLike
What a fun poem to read! I love the voice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a lot of fun to write, Jennifer! Had such fun coming up with a different way to tell the story.
LikeLike
A delightful romp to read! How do you do it, Fran? Way to slice with such creativity!
LikeLike
Oh no, poor Dennis. What a delightful poem about the miscreant interfering with the King. I identify with your feelings about chess, I always lose, or forget which piece can move where.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never can remember the moves, either, and my granddaughter Scout taught me to play! Dennis is none the worse for this experience (in contrast to the king). I had such fun coming up with a different way to tell the story.
LikeLike
So much fun to start my morning off with this clever poem! Love the doggie pic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Vivian! Truth is – he’s a thoroughly spoiled creature. Full of love. And mischief!
LikeLike
Oh my goodness, Fran, this post so captures dog trouble in a Shakespearean sense, kingly and rhymely and meterly. I think dog teeth marks add such class to the piece, a very unique chess set – no one else in the entire universe has one just like this one now. Maybe put some ink on his paw and stamp the king like an artist signs his best work. Poor Dennis – – I know that aargh all too well – – I spent my childhood pretty much like that. Your poem is creative with the language. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kim – I had a lot of fun thinking of a different way to tell the story. Once the language started, it got to be a thing – I know you understand! Dennis really wasn’t scolded much, truly …he knew he was caught, and his default response is automatically rolling to his side to show his repentance.
LikeLike
The king is dead. Long live the king. And may Dennis suffer no undue degree of indigestion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hear, hear. And Dennis has an iron stomach!
LikeLike
Hahahaha!! Awesome. “He knew he was caught, and his default response is automatically rolling to his side to show his repentance. Haha!! Also awesome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dennis is a rascal – I cannot stay perturbed with him for long 🙂
LikeLike