This one is for Dak-shi, since she begs so earnestly for a poem about "ninjas" and because she have made awesome posters for some of my fics and graphics for one of my poems. I admit that I have taken artistic freedom to the concept of ninjas since the subject per se doesn't exactly vibrate my creative spirit. I took the meaning of the original word in Japanese shinobi; "to steal away". (I think I feel a slight T.S Eliot interference here too...)
Hope its dark enough, Dak-shi!
---
The thought, as fast as I am, that "darkness never fades"
covers my face, and the night, with monochromatic shades
the blade sinks in and the cold air stings, as life bleeds over my boots.
I will need to clean it, I think, as the weight on my arm crumble and sink
The stillness is deafening, the darkness blinding
the light rain scorching, as it seeps through the fabric, finding
my cool, collected skin
and as always, when the night closes in
I delve in the surprise, that never seems to surprise me
why isn't the world in riot, screaming, shouting, crowding
why isn't the world in chaos, crying, beating and drowning
a man is dead, a man just died
his blood is on my boots
and hands
Why aren't there shouts in anger and sobs in grief
why isn't someone collecting around him
demanding in justice and peace
I have cut down a life as one would pick a flower
I have taken and buried or arranged for display
and nothing I leave makes a difference
to the indifference of men
and just as them, the silent night is still, too still
while the pool of blood grows larger
as if in quiet defiance
to me, and men
and to the science
of death
and I know that no one will come until morrow
and even then I feel no relief nor sorrow
just a strange curiosity
After all, I am just another weld in the human chain
bound by a fragile life
and I have an overwhelming need to know what will happen
when that wire bends and breaks
will it go quietly, in darkness
or explode in blinding light
will men rise and speak
or shall I do it for them?
I shall need to clean my boots, I think, before I steal another link
and my monochromatic thoughts give me hope
again and again
as to the difference I can make
to the indifference of men
