“Tony Agee” by Rudy Thomas

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What is death if not one moment—
one step alone on a journey
no one can take with us?

You took that step. You went
where your father and mother sleep. We
stay here unable to focus.

I remember seeing you happy twice.
I have a picture of you on my wall
the day you married Gay.

No one who sees it can say
you are not happy in that captured, all-
telling pose. Let it not suffice

for me to hold in my memory
another moment, that time
when you took my rook & I turned

down my king. For years, you yearned
for that win. It was the last time
we played chess. You wanted to hold that memory

for the rest of your life
Too soon, Death made the final move
as quick as a Fool’s mate.

It defeated you without hate
without love
without any pawn’s sacrifice.

-Rudy Thomas

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