Checkmate! -2 The call of the heart

Поэтический перевод произведения «Шах и Мат! - 2. Зов Сердца!»,
автор исходника на русском языке – [Сергей Плотников]

One day upon the time-consuming strife,
Where Checkmate was a token of our life,
When our fatigue stepped back to shade already,
He eyed someone that’s thrown his life to eddy.
A volunteer doggess as a golden beam appeared,
A Labrador she-dog of beauty no one neared,
Sun-colored fur and ears akin to satin,
And scent… Oh, God, this odor made him flatten!

Not scent of powder, burning, filthy mire,
But summer herbs his feelings set afire.
He, son of war, a hound of daily grind,
Became aware – his heartbeat’s undefined.
Landmines, and war and duty were forgotten,
In gaze of hers he’s drowned, in chasm’s cold ungotten.

Oh, Labrador, a shine of tender eyes,
To Checkmate you’re The Saviour in disguise!
But not the one on armor, the one who warms the heart,
And Checkmate for her sake the world was set to tear apart.
Love triangle? No questions one can dare!
There was a sheepdog Service, but can anyone compare?
With trembles in his paws and chest’s resembling flutters,
He understood – here’s love that his life journey utters!

She’s called by name of Lada; her barks were nice for sure,
They brooked across the body; to doggy Eden lure.
She was an eye of heaven – so playful and so nice,
He was a heavy soldier, whose life’s to roll the dice.
With Death he’s on a level. Repose therein he saw,
Whereof he’s unaware with all his freaking war.
And Lada showed her feelings – his shores she beat as wave,
To scars and cicatrices the love of hers she gave.
He was her very hero, her guardian, the best,
And she gave hope thereunto, an ans to all the rest.
But there’s a sted, a mission; an order to propel:
They had to gain the ground, where foes have left a “spell” –
A minefield’s there all over; a guileful maze, they said,
And Checkmate had moved forward, in sprint by scent he’s led.
And Lada saw him leaving, her heart sank like a stone,
She prayed to doggy spirits: “Keep safe, while he is gone!”

He made the sappers follow, an apt and skillful guide,
And here’s a first trip wire, foe’s cunning sign beside.
But lo - the ground staggered, and treacherously clicked,
And Bang! Though weak, anear, a cricket sound ticked.
The paw’s been lashed by fragments, and shrieked Checkmate at pace.
He fell, and bled the ground, and all was out of place.
To other’s pain … He jolted, and tried to make a bound,
The pain thrust through the body, and made him hit the ground.

But Lada saw it happen, and having lost her fear,
She darted through the minefield, and bolted like a spear.
She shrug off mines, explosions, and cries “Stop there! Get back!”
She darted to her buddy, in unrestrained attack.
And whining from the sorrow, she pressed against his head,
And licked his wounds all over on bloody grassy bed.
That was a feat of merit, not just a canine love,
But real KISS of passion, a gift from the above.
Her tongue of tender roughness, as sheer softest silk,
Relieved the pain and horror, and fear’s bitter ilk.
It scented life and sunny, and faithfulness of blest,
And Checkmate gave an answer, his cheek to her he pressed.

In eyes of hers he’s drowned, this instant in this war,
He’s got it – here’s the merit for every martial roar.
This canine love and passion is pure as early snow,
It tied them up forever, increasing their hearts’ go.
And now he’s whole with Lada amid the fighting nerve,
There’s one to sooth his soul and as a beacon serve.
Two dedicated souls, two passionate straight flames,
And Checkmate in a whisper “You are my life!” exclaims.
There’s more awaiting onward, both duty and unrest,
With Lada any journey is easier progressed.
The bowl is more delicious, and duty’s fun to hold,
‘coz there is no dog’s passion, that’s hotter in the world!