Читать книгу The Book of Duels - Michael Garriga - Страница 17

Master Lee, 23,

Tanka Poet & Disciple of Sasaki Kojiro (with apologies for the poor translation)

Cherry blossoms in full bloom—

Sunrise above water burns high—

man and fruit to fall too soon

at Noon, pale sun sits on high—

challenge! duel!—both day and we await

near Sunset he arrives, disheveled, late, insulting—

I say not his name—

look: wind in robes like dragon wings

mad, my master overplays his hand—

blood red as Sunset, as cherries

my world upended—rat kills cat—

I shall never follow another—

what use: world, water, fire, wind, void?

Yet still gull cries beyond me

Yet still pages set before me

Dusk comes, steals away our light—sun sets—

Darkness, moon has failed us—

what is left to do but weep?

Shall I now seek revenge for him?

Shall I suicide or use my pen?