Zugzwang

[Lincolnshirelass]

Movement enforced, and action is imposed,
although it will not serve me, and will not progress
my game. Yet, nevertheless,
there must be movement, it can't be opposed ...

Movement that is born in pointlessness,
and so, sometimes, is life, and questions posed
remain unanswered, though I once supposed,
that movement, not just in a game of chess ...

was better than inertia, and that I was free
to move or not move, act or not to act,
not just movement enforced, and leaving me

cornered, goaded, captive, self-attacked,
and it's a mere pretence of liberty,
movement for movement's sake, all purpose lacked.