Ode to Quaternity — A Distant Echo

A short sonnet to accompany The Book of Kings. Royal Checkmates in Quaternity.

Listen to the reading

Ode to Quaternity

0:53

Where kings and games once met in verse and art,

An echo—from Ferdowsi to the Castilian Wise,

Who once gave shape to play in subtle guise,

The tale unfolds anew in every heart.

Yet once, in India, first the board took form,

With four, not two—and then still ruled by dice,

It wandered far through change and sacrifice,

Till now the primal play comes forth reborn.

Beyond the duel, a wider field of sight,

As many minds converge, yet answer One,

A living bond that grows through shared fraternity,

In shifting moves, new patterns come to light,

No single will prevails, yet all is spun,

And all are gathered round Quaternity.

♔♔♔♔