The King in Grey

gallant knight on snow white charger
rides to fame and noble deeds
finds some roads go on forever
hero whom nobody needs.
helm is shining, sword belt buckled
bears a straight untarnished lance
rides across a hero's desert
doesn't get a second glance.

'cross the land dark forces triumph
do not waste time on the fight
never muster for the conflict
have no need to prove who's right
there's no battle good and proper
there's no noble war to win
grey stores open up for business
wisdom watches fate's coin spin.

good marches under bright white banners
defends the weak, lifts up the poor
the devil only moves for profit
not to risk that in a war
traders move across dimensions
lovers meet in trysted time
riddles twist the mind's eye vision
find romance in mundane grime
plots remain in dusty novels
wordbound fast their stories hold
do not let their charges wander
nor their tales for real unfold.

white meets black in chessboard logic
moves in clearly set out ways
black meets white and moves conversely
rules bind both in see-saw plays
manichean filters shelter
grand chessmasters in their play
do not face the moving shadows
or checkmate the king in grey.