The clatter and the crossing,
define the schism of two opponents,
the clanging of their swords,
swish to rhythmic beats of the drum, gong and bass,
it's a graceful dance,
a fantasy trace,
The swerve and verve,
The essence and effervescence.
Sword play,
one unmatched even in arm to arm combat,
The fate of the swordsman,
The fame of the sword,
Blood trickles,
Tears are shed,
Sweat drips,
theatrics delight to the eyes.
Urgh aargh, urgh aargh!
It's beauty goes for the bounty,
And the fountain's not in the mountain,
Egoistical whims,
Intrigues and subterfuge,
Control and power,
Schemes and screams,
Today one,
tomorrow another,
live again,
fight again,
die by the sword or die off it,
death must meet all.
A cause for the course,
Let's pause for the pulse.
Unsheathe your sword or you're eviscerated.
Choose your path and damn the wrath.
It's the coliseum of life,
Unleash with elan,
That's a big call for alarm,
Try and get a tag,
Tag and get a rag,
Then it's rag-a-tag.
Bang! Bang! Your eyes clear.
Oh! What elegance and resplendence.
©Uchenna Ozoekwe.
a.k.a Bethany Blaze.
July 2018.
Comments
Urgh aargh, urgh aargh!
I'm really fucking enjoying your works, man. I grew up reading comic books under the covers (I've always been an insomniac).
This is, of course, more than comic strip imagery, it's the kind of genius we get from people like Joss Whedon, Kevin Smith, Quentin Tarantino and you, who have grown up on them and become artists. You've read "Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa, haven't you? If not I think you might enjoy it.
I've just got to do a reading right now, I'll leave it to others to give you critical feedback, except-
swish to rhythmic beats of the drum, ukulele and bass,
ukelele? Isn't that a bit trivial in context?
https://soundcloud.com/neopoet/fate-of-the-swordsman-by-uchenna-ozoekwe
Response.
Thanks for your input. The ukulele a musical instrument was added for effect as part of musical instruments that add to the beauty of the dance/ swordplay.
The poem itself was inspired by a swordfight in a movie titled 'fate of the Swordsman'. This sword fight as described is clearly seen on some Chinese themed movies on the usual American or European sword fights but the settings are still similar.
I will take a look at Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa, as you suggested. I believe it's gonna be cool.