Three European Swords
The two rapiers lie side by side -
mistrustful, anxious to engage,
fence the other one into a corner,
drive the point home!
They are the vainest of swords:
proud of their sleek blades,
their fatal points.They rest uneasily
in their sheaths, exult in their opponent's flesh.
This is the way of the sword.
The broadsword casts its mighty
shadow. Its heavy balance can be
controlled only by men of wild
courage. They hack, batter, crush
those on whom the shadow falls.
Macbeth heaved the broadsword
when in the King's name he slew
Macdonwald. The sword smashed
the traitor's helmet, cut through
his brain, severed head from body.
This is the way of the sword.
Three Samurai Swords
His sword is the samurai's soul.
Deep in Zen readiness, his fatal skill
serves the will of his Daimyo.
The blade, as sharp as the point,
slices nimbly through the armor
and flesh of his opponent, his lord's
enemy. After his victory, the samurai
sets the sword aside. He performs
the rituals to calm the soul
of his worthy opponent. He realizes -
one day, his soul will be calmed....
This is the way of the sword.
The Red Sword
Slowly, deliberately,
with infinite attention to the Tao,
the Tai Chi devotee dances.
He waves the Red Sword in tandem
with his high steps. It slices
the ambient air, causing no wound,
drawing no blood. Liberation
is what the dancer seeks for himself,
for his loved ones, for everyone.
The Red Sword's repose will soon be his repose.
This is the way of the sword.
Daniel Brick
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/repose-and-aggression/
