Do your work
and grab your play–
don’t fret–
the days
are near as dark
as they will get–

take a little break
if you need a little rest,

see whether you
and friends
or those you love
can find the time
and patience
to connect,
relax and yack. . .

and may your hopes and highest plans and dreams
with this, your here-now life
succeed to intersect,

even if a bishop and a knight
loom threatening in your sight
and seem to hold you
in a genius-stumping check.