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The Samurai and the Dragon
- The Samurai and the Dragon -
I hear the heron cries, as I move towards those distant hills,
Where maple-crowned woods shelter wonders uncounted…
And I recall the old tales of ghosts, gods, and spirits therein.
The statues that line the path at the mouth of the woodland…
Those smiling deities, guardians of a life that holds no thrills,
Can keep their pristine purity, for of such life I would dread.
Better to feel with every ounce of my being, even every sin!
To live and die without regret is best, lest life run like sand…
And death opens for one who shall only return, if unfulfilled.
With my very blood I must exist, even should that be spilled!
This is my way, for I have been raised from darkness bitter,
The better to savor all that is sweet and good, and beautiful.
I have dwelt in shadows, and seen where pale lights flicker,
And to them I shall return only when I have lived most full…
Craving naught, for now I crave much, as a hunger endless!
And so my journey continues, as I walk in my scarlet dress.
I pass a pond where toads make their sounds, in the deeps,
Whilst the scent of pine and nature is all about the forests…
A slender bridge crosses there to a temple in a higher place.
Of those old beliefs, from before the coming of the Buddha!
It is said, that within its’ halls a dragon oft waits, and sleeps,
So I go to meet it, and to, whatever power it holds, contest.
I long to know if it is real and to look it squarely in the face!
Would that I could behold true magic, embracing wonder…
And so my sandaled steps go lightly, upon the aged timbers.
From the lofty temple I can hear the sound of lilting singers!
Who sings thusly for a monster, if there: such creature lairs?
I shall discover this mystery too, and come to learn more…
For, my heart is never too timid so that of glory it bewares!
A Samurai’s spirit, is not reserved merely for waging war…
And so, I come in peace to that holy place, ever reverently.
Will I be received in kind, with respect and proper dignity?
Within the temple I behold maidens making beautiful music,
Plucking strings and banging drums, whilst voicing praise…
To some ancient beings, which their ancestors had revered!
I feel my body moving in dance, to their enchanting melody.
It begins slowly and then the pace grows swifter and quick,
Enough to astound my senses with such power to amaze…
Until I had forgotten the dragon that so many others feared.
But it was there, and it regarded me, with passing curiosity!
It was not a creature of rough skin and sharp demon horns,
Rather she was a lady, or at least that was her chosen form.
Dressed in a Kimono and Hakama of a most pale jade hue,
Her hair black as jet and her skin as pale as foreign ivory…
With long fingernails: like claws, and eyes of a pristine blue.
She came forward, lonely and longing for human company!
We danced together, whilst the maidens sang; time passed.
The scent of her perfume was heady, but scents never last!
“Beautiful Samurai”, she called me, seeing in me the feminine,
Like Ranmaru Mori; whose beauty, was as a fair princess!
“Stay with me”, she asked, “and keep me company forever…”
But although I yearned to give in to that goddess’s request,
I could not grant her eternity, for such was not hers to win.
One lifetime would have to do, and as much I did confess!
So she screamed as if one suffering from madness or fever.
She took her claws and scratched savagely at her breasts!
“Then die, beautiful Samurai, and keep what honor is yours.”
She tried to tear at my very throat with a murderous force!
I wept as my katana found her heart, for she was truly lost.
As she died the maidens stopped singing and left in quiet…
Their mistress wanted my soul, and for it she paid the cost.
I went to bury her, but her body vanished as my hand met,
The form: of the ghost with which I had danced and fought.
Wind echoed in an empty temple, its’ peace dearly bought!
I hear the heron cries, as I move towards those distant hills,
Where maple-crowned woods shelter wonders uncounted…
And I recall the old tales of ghosts, gods, and spirits therein.
The statues that line the path at the mouth of the woodland…
Those smiling deities, guardians of a life that holds no thrills,
Can keep their pristine purity, for of such life I would dread.
Better to feel with every ounce of my being, even every sin!
To live and die without regret is best, lest life run like sand…
And death opens for one who shall only return, if unfulfilled.
With my very blood I must exist, even should that be spilled!
This is my way, for I have been raised from darkness bitter,
The better to savor all that is sweet and good, and beautiful.
I have dwelt in shadows, and seen where pale lights flicker,
And to them I shall return only when I have lived most full…
Craving naught, for now I crave much, as a hunger endless!
And so my journey continues, as I walk in my scarlet dress.
I pass a pond where toads make their sounds, in the deeps,
Whilst the scent of pine and nature is all about the forests…
A slender bridge crosses there to a temple in a higher place.
Of those old beliefs, from before the coming of the Buddha!
It is said, that within its’ halls a dragon oft waits, and sleeps,
So I go to meet it, and to, whatever power it holds, contest.
I long to know if it is real and to look it squarely in the face!
Would that I could behold true magic, embracing wonder…
And so my sandaled steps go lightly, upon the aged timbers.
From the lofty temple I can hear the sound of lilting singers!
Who sings thusly for a monster, if there: such creature lairs?
I shall discover this mystery too, and come to learn more…
For, my heart is never too timid so that of glory it bewares!
A Samurai’s spirit, is not reserved merely for waging war…
And so, I come in peace to that holy place, ever reverently.
Will I be received in kind, with respect and proper dignity?
Within the temple I behold maidens making beautiful music,
Plucking strings and banging drums, whilst voicing praise…
To some ancient beings, which their ancestors had revered!
I feel my body moving in dance, to their enchanting melody.
It begins slowly and then the pace grows swifter and quick,
Enough to astound my senses with such power to amaze…
Until I had forgotten the dragon that so many others feared.
But it was there, and it regarded me, with passing curiosity!
It was not a creature of rough skin and sharp demon horns,
Rather she was a lady, or at least that was her chosen form.
Dressed in a Kimono and Hakama of a most pale jade hue,
Her hair black as jet and her skin as pale as foreign ivory…
With long fingernails: like claws, and eyes of a pristine blue.
She came forward, lonely and longing for human company!
We danced together, whilst the maidens sang; time passed.
The scent of her perfume was heady, but scents never last!
“Beautiful Samurai”, she called me, seeing in me the feminine,
Like Ranmaru Mori; whose beauty, was as a fair princess!
“Stay with me”, she asked, “and keep me company forever…”
But although I yearned to give in to that goddess’s request,
I could not grant her eternity, for such was not hers to win.
One lifetime would have to do, and as much I did confess!
So she screamed as if one suffering from madness or fever.
She took her claws and scratched savagely at her breasts!
“Then die, beautiful Samurai, and keep what honor is yours.”
She tried to tear at my very throat with a murderous force!
I wept as my katana found her heart, for she was truly lost.
As she died the maidens stopped singing and left in quiet…
Their mistress wanted my soul, and for it she paid the cost.
I went to bury her, but her body vanished as my hand met,
The form: of the ghost with which I had danced and fought.
Wind echoed in an empty temple, its’ peace dearly bought!
Published 15th Jul 2012
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