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A Shrine Maiden’s Journey
- A Shrine Maiden’s Journey -
As the shrine maiden practiced with the sword every dawn,
So that her skills surpassed many men who she had known…
She closed her eyes and realized that within her, was a fear.
Seeking to overcome it, she vowed not to be terror’s pawn,
And so, she went into the nearby forest, which had grown…
Wild and frightful: so that the bravest men drew not so near!
But within her breast, the maiden knew beat a warrior heart.
Beyond her senses, she thought that she could hear singing…
Thusly she sought the source of that haunting beautiful music.
Vast as a universe was the woodland, and untamed in part…
But, above all other sounds, one beautiful voice was ringing.
The maiden followed, never thinking that it might be a trick!
Time had no meaning in the hours of the maiden’s seeking…
She had moved beyond the physical reality, that we inhabit.
Her courage kept her from faltering as her feet padded on!
The demon of uncertainly, within her, was fast weakening…
And soon, she arrived where a flute player did serenely sit.
The source of thee music that had, all her senses overcome.
Near to him, a beautiful woman with wings sang so angelic,
They sang for the unseen spirits, who came to them quick!
“Behold, for here comes unto us yet another little lost soul…
Tell us, maiden, if you could hear our music and be moved!”
Thus spoke the winged woman, her voice arrogant in tone.
Fear rose up in the maiden again, growing beyond control…
But she broke all bondage to it, her courage thusly proved!
“I could hear your song, though I be but of flesh and bone.”
As the flute player played on, that was the maiden’s reply,
Which surprised the winged woman, causing her to giggle.
So much, is oft hidden in mortal hearts, waiting to emerge!
Every spirit hides a true secret, of which many might deny.
Some seek to be free of it, and like a worm, they wiggle…
But the hook that holds them fast is too invisible and large.
No hook held this maiden, and that puzzled the woman…
Who was thus unused to seeing such a profound serenity!
Where had the demon of uncertainty gone fleeing so fast?
The winged woman was a Tengu spirit and so just then…
Se tried to tempt the maiden with promises of fair divinity.
“Why not stay here with us, where the blossoms do last?
The gods have their secrets, and we can teach you much.”
But the shrine maiden could not ever be swayed as such!
“I need not your gifts to find the serenity within my being.”
Such were the maiden’s words, and the Tengu did rage…
Lashing out in fury but unable to do to the maiden injury!
For the maiden’s prayers made her spirit brightly shining,
More brightly: than the light of wisdom in the wisest sage.
“Be on your way, daughter of the shrine, in quiet dignity!”
This the flute player spoke, ceasing his exquisite playing,
Whilst the Tengu departed, back to the spiritual realms…
To pout: at being unable to steal the maiden’s soul away.
The shrine maiden had won her battle by simply praying,
Her purity enough to, any evil force, totally overwhelm…
She needed not a sword for her power to hold its’ sway.
Still would her katana practice resume with every morn!
But no longer did she need to relay solely on its’ lessons.
Never, would she learn who that flute player had been…
Though he guarded her, from the moment she was born.
It would not do to question each of Heaven’s blessings!
Some mysteries are powerful enough simply to be seen.
As she walked home, the shrine maiden sang most soft,
Whilst, of all of life’s wonders, she would think very oft.
As the shrine maiden practiced with the sword every dawn,
So that her skills surpassed many men who she had known…
She closed her eyes and realized that within her, was a fear.
Seeking to overcome it, she vowed not to be terror’s pawn,
And so, she went into the nearby forest, which had grown…
Wild and frightful: so that the bravest men drew not so near!
But within her breast, the maiden knew beat a warrior heart.
Beyond her senses, she thought that she could hear singing…
Thusly she sought the source of that haunting beautiful music.
Vast as a universe was the woodland, and untamed in part…
But, above all other sounds, one beautiful voice was ringing.
The maiden followed, never thinking that it might be a trick!
Time had no meaning in the hours of the maiden’s seeking…
She had moved beyond the physical reality, that we inhabit.
Her courage kept her from faltering as her feet padded on!
The demon of uncertainly, within her, was fast weakening…
And soon, she arrived where a flute player did serenely sit.
The source of thee music that had, all her senses overcome.
Near to him, a beautiful woman with wings sang so angelic,
They sang for the unseen spirits, who came to them quick!
“Behold, for here comes unto us yet another little lost soul…
Tell us, maiden, if you could hear our music and be moved!”
Thus spoke the winged woman, her voice arrogant in tone.
Fear rose up in the maiden again, growing beyond control…
But she broke all bondage to it, her courage thusly proved!
“I could hear your song, though I be but of flesh and bone.”
As the flute player played on, that was the maiden’s reply,
Which surprised the winged woman, causing her to giggle.
So much, is oft hidden in mortal hearts, waiting to emerge!
Every spirit hides a true secret, of which many might deny.
Some seek to be free of it, and like a worm, they wiggle…
But the hook that holds them fast is too invisible and large.
No hook held this maiden, and that puzzled the woman…
Who was thus unused to seeing such a profound serenity!
Where had the demon of uncertainty gone fleeing so fast?
The winged woman was a Tengu spirit and so just then…
Se tried to tempt the maiden with promises of fair divinity.
“Why not stay here with us, where the blossoms do last?
The gods have their secrets, and we can teach you much.”
But the shrine maiden could not ever be swayed as such!
“I need not your gifts to find the serenity within my being.”
Such were the maiden’s words, and the Tengu did rage…
Lashing out in fury but unable to do to the maiden injury!
For the maiden’s prayers made her spirit brightly shining,
More brightly: than the light of wisdom in the wisest sage.
“Be on your way, daughter of the shrine, in quiet dignity!”
This the flute player spoke, ceasing his exquisite playing,
Whilst the Tengu departed, back to the spiritual realms…
To pout: at being unable to steal the maiden’s soul away.
The shrine maiden had won her battle by simply praying,
Her purity enough to, any evil force, totally overwhelm…
She needed not a sword for her power to hold its’ sway.
Still would her katana practice resume with every morn!
But no longer did she need to relay solely on its’ lessons.
Never, would she learn who that flute player had been…
Though he guarded her, from the moment she was born.
It would not do to question each of Heaven’s blessings!
Some mysteries are powerful enough simply to be seen.
As she walked home, the shrine maiden sang most soft,
Whilst, of all of life’s wonders, she would think very oft.
Published 4th Jul 2012
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