The Logic of the Game

There is the board. Question not, for a minute,
Dear reader, the meaning of this term, 'the board':
Grid of immaculate conceptions, the spacing and the space
In which they are conceived, whether the squares
Be red, blue, ovals or rectangular, diamonds of wood
Or gold. Think nothing of the pieces: that this
Should be a horse, that here the spires of a rook
Should rise and there the pointed nub
Of pawns, that is no matter; only in the grid
From which all matter rises and in which
The matter means does logic live -- logic, scrutable
Force behind all forces, yet unseen,
Always, when it's seen and when it's shown,
Before even the things, their relation,
Links and nodes, not meanings
But the meanings of those meanings: so.
When we have the board, the pieces,
Then there are the moves: think that all of this
Is true, think that all of this requires necessary
Assent and assertion if you play the game,
If you will move, if you will think
About your moves, in either of these cases,
Win or lose.