Chess Is 99 Percent Tactics

Chess Is 99 Percent Tactics

Robert E. Lee has not been named a saint–
except in Heaven, where no doubt he has.
A sympathetic figure now he ain’t:
He falls afoul of rap — and maybe jazz.
In old age, he revealed unguessed pizzazz.
Even his allies called him Granny Lee
at first — but dropped the appellation as
he smote with thunderbolts the enemy.
He lost at last — but kept his dignity.
Those who defeated him saw how he shone
with courage, principle, and sanctity.
Today’s weak souls declare he must atone.
I’ve heard — and I declare I doubt it not–
he and St. Michael now play chess a lot.

–Tom Riley

Another Self-Important Episcopalian Saves the Church

Another Self-Important Episcopalian Saves the Church

The world wasn’t what good Christians hoped.
Oh, with wickedness which of us coped?
We had come, if you care,
To the point of despair.
So what saved us? Hey, Father Dwight poped!

–Tom Riley