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Samurai and Shadows
- Samurai and Shadows -
Based on some of my past-life memories…
The paper lanterns hung from tall slanted roofs,
As the soft crickets and fireflies came to play…
Amidst the green, blue, red, and yellow colors:
Cast by the lanterns’ magic like some fair spell.
And I stood by a bridge over a stream, aloof,
Regarding the passing of afternoon and of day.
Something ancient beyond the world, so stirs,
In the forests and old trees, as if risen from Hell.
My sword is sheathed at my waist, not needed,
And my sandals tread upon the wood beneath.
The bridge creaks, and leaves fall from trees…
To tumble to the soil, which was richly seeded.
All of Nara prefecture is celebrating this week,
Unsuspecting what comes upon a night breeze.
The crickets knew not, nor did the fireflies sing,
Of the coming clash, which I soon would bring!
The Yagyu clan’s home awaited in yonder city,
In the east of Nara, where silent shadows sat…
Never stirring for fear of awakening men’s fury.
I remember, when that was only a small village!
When their warriors hunted me without all pity,
My servants defied them, undying ire so begat…
And so now they would taste of fear and worry.
I brought no vast army, to plunder or to pillage!
My power was not of this world, but of others.
The shadows waited for my signal, to so strike,
And I played a reed whistle, to bring them out.
The Yagyu Samurai came like closest brothers,
But the shadows made them tremble with fright.
It was the year of steel, of blood, and draught!
The shadows would clash with them, endlessly,
Each side mustering their spirit: in noble dignity.
My powers had cursed the land, karmic justice.
I strode to where the one-eyed master waited…
Defying him to remember me, from fallen Hara.
Had he been there, when I made my last stand?
In his eyes, I could see serenity and much bliss.
He was no butcher, to be by such things sated!
And so I faced him there, in that heart of Nara,
Whilst all about us chaos raged across the land.
Our blades crossed seven times, both breaking,
So we were weaponless, and then we laughed.
The gods did not intend us to fight to the death!
This was not the revenge I was oft anticipating,
I bid the shadows depart, with the utmost craft.
Then I walked out of Nara to catch my breath!
The one-eyed master did not pursue me thusly,
He merely laughed; in his heart, he admired me.
Based on some of my past-life memories…
The paper lanterns hung from tall slanted roofs,
As the soft crickets and fireflies came to play…
Amidst the green, blue, red, and yellow colors:
Cast by the lanterns’ magic like some fair spell.
And I stood by a bridge over a stream, aloof,
Regarding the passing of afternoon and of day.
Something ancient beyond the world, so stirs,
In the forests and old trees, as if risen from Hell.
My sword is sheathed at my waist, not needed,
And my sandals tread upon the wood beneath.
The bridge creaks, and leaves fall from trees…
To tumble to the soil, which was richly seeded.
All of Nara prefecture is celebrating this week,
Unsuspecting what comes upon a night breeze.
The crickets knew not, nor did the fireflies sing,
Of the coming clash, which I soon would bring!
The Yagyu clan’s home awaited in yonder city,
In the east of Nara, where silent shadows sat…
Never stirring for fear of awakening men’s fury.
I remember, when that was only a small village!
When their warriors hunted me without all pity,
My servants defied them, undying ire so begat…
And so now they would taste of fear and worry.
I brought no vast army, to plunder or to pillage!
My power was not of this world, but of others.
The shadows waited for my signal, to so strike,
And I played a reed whistle, to bring them out.
The Yagyu Samurai came like closest brothers,
But the shadows made them tremble with fright.
It was the year of steel, of blood, and draught!
The shadows would clash with them, endlessly,
Each side mustering their spirit: in noble dignity.
My powers had cursed the land, karmic justice.
I strode to where the one-eyed master waited…
Defying him to remember me, from fallen Hara.
Had he been there, when I made my last stand?
In his eyes, I could see serenity and much bliss.
He was no butcher, to be by such things sated!
And so I faced him there, in that heart of Nara,
Whilst all about us chaos raged across the land.
Our blades crossed seven times, both breaking,
So we were weaponless, and then we laughed.
The gods did not intend us to fight to the death!
This was not the revenge I was oft anticipating,
I bid the shadows depart, with the utmost craft.
Then I walked out of Nara to catch my breath!
The one-eyed master did not pursue me thusly,
He merely laughed; in his heart, he admired me.
Published 14th Jan 2013
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Anonymous
14th Jan 2013 2:47am
This is pretty neat, I like the way you sum things up.
Well put and written, lovely piece Jessica...
Well put and written, lovely piece Jessica...
14th Jan 2013 10:25am
Why thank you, Queen of Angels! I am happy that you liked it. I like to end things in an interesting way, and some moments from certain previous lives of mine happened like that and so were easy to capture this way in poetic form. Not all battles are won with the sword, as the saying goes... and it is a true saying indeed. The way of the Samurai was not always about winning battles for honor, but about honoring your enemy whether in victory, defeat, and as in the case of what this poem relates... a bit of a draw. Lol.
16th Jan 2013 00:57am
16th Jan 2013 2:24am
So glad you liked it, Grace! Yeah, I've still been busy penning the old past-life memoirs and stuff. Though I'm starting to branch out a bit more into all kinds of genres lately. I've got the creative bug, been bit by the muse big time, so I keep the ol' poetry coming. Such a pleasure to hear from you!
17th Jan 2013 9:58am
I love the epic feel to this. I have a feeling there is more of this story to come from you Jessica. Let me know when there is so I can read it.
18th Jan 2013 4:10am
You know it, shaunda! This was a single glimpse into one single, solitary moment from another age... one linked to other moments, naturally. It is tied into all my other poems and stories about the Edo era of Feudal Japan and my past life back then. So if you read those, especially "Legend of the Undead Samurai" (it's a really long, epic three-parter you can find here on DUP) then you will sort of get the whole story. I'd recommend Legend to anyone who wants to learn more about the events surrounding this particular poem. So happy you enjoyed this one, by the way! :D
