97 - iambic trimeter

Fierce and strong is she
The graceful hawk nearby
The one whom I adore


This work by Ronald Mina is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

96

It is a tale rather common in lore,
not all that unique in this world so vast.
There's a timid little dream in my heart,
fragile and afraid of your slightest frown.
If you would smile at me, my soul would soar
and I would wish us together at last.
To be by your side, that's my wished-for part,
though upon your brow I'd place my queen's crown.
The fear of pain keeps guard outside the door
that could lead us both to joy free of past.



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95

I may have gone mad
It is so unfortunate
The Healer won't come


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94

Lover's Day has come
The place besides me, empty
My wish is still you


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93

The sorrow so much easier to write
Humans obsessed with the pain in their souls
Happiness just an overlooked feeling
Weak hearts broken so much they can't survive
Joy is something we have long forgotten.


This work by Ronald Mina is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

92

There is naught but void
No one hears me when I call
Let it all fall down


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Catullus 85

An experiment with Catullus' famous poem. Fitting memorial for what today is to me.

Original
odi et amo. quare id faciam, fortasse requiris?
nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.

Literal translation
I hate and I love. Why do I do this, perhaps you ask?
I do not know, but I feel it happening and I am tormented.

English verse
Hate and love felt. Why do so, is perhaps asked?
Reason isn't known, but it is felt and I am tormented.

Spanish
Odio y amo. porque hago eso, sera que preguntas?
No se, pero lo siento y estoy tormentado.


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Lady (extended)

The "extended" version. Twelve verses, twenty-six lines.

Fair Lady far from her homeland,
your life is forever western bound,
and you caught between two worlds.

Fickle Lady filled with uncertainties,
today’s truth is sure to be tomorrow’s lie.

Sweet Lady of compassionate heart,
your thoughts always empathizing.

Spiteful Lady of the warrior caste,
the enemy in name is not always so.

Gentle Lady from the river faith,
cleanse and heal the sinner’s soul.

Combative Lady of the demon-fighting blood,
you thrill to battle despite your denials.

Thoughtful Lady full of fancies,
taking your beautiful dreams to their end.

Selfish Lady full of herself,
destroying the future for a present whim.

Loving Lady born of the sun’s followers,
in your affection is the fruit of life.

Passionate Lady with the bewitching eyes,
an exciting tempest in the heat of your touch.

Laughing Lady with your vivacious soul,
your joy of living filling those around you.

Lady who means Wealth, Beheld by God,
be free of the dark and shine your light,
since heart speaks to heart, listen.



This work by Ronald Mina is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Lady

The "core" version. Six verses, thirteen lines.

Sweet Lady of compassionate heart,
your thoughts always empathizing.

Spiteful Lady of the warrior caste,
the enemy in name is not always so.

Combative Lady of the demon-fighting blood,
you thrill to battle despite your denials.

Thoughtful Lady full of fancies,
taking your beautiful dreams to their end.

Passionate Lady with the bewitching eyes,
an exciting tempest in the heat of your touch.

Lady who means Wealth, Beheld by God,
be free of the dark and shine your light,
since heart speaks to heart, listen.


This work by Ronald Mina is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Over the Hills

Found a very old poem of mine, thought to post it here.

Over the Hills
Over the hills and far away,
I march to meet my end.
The arena of battle is my destination,
to the field of death I am sent.
I have no one waiting for me at home,
I have no one who loves me worrying.
Since there is nothing for me in this world,
I have nothing to live on for.
In this battle to which I march,
I will care not for Old Grim's smile.
Over the hills and far away,
I embrace my bitter destiny.


This work by Ronald Mina is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

88

Even the devil knows when he meets divinity
Only a fool fails to recognize a goddess
So what am I not to see holiness
Or at least a sacred person right beside me?

Guess this is what they mean
When they say too dumb too live
So since hell is too good for me
I better dread the payment for my sin


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Hegemon's Seven Swords

A lifetime since Pride gave birth to the Hegemon.
White kan-dao, Imperator.
Pride incarnated.
Justice of the King.
The sole ruler of the people creates a world for them.

A lifetime since Pride gave birth to the Hegemon.
Black kan-dao, Kshtriyani
Gentle other half.
Loss of idol.
The ideals and dreams of the innocent gives the people hope.

A lifetime since Pride gave birth to the Hegemon.
Reversed blade, sakabato Fukei
Painful mercy.
Punishment without death.
The stern teachings of a guardian educate the people.

A lifetime since Pride gave birth to the Hegemon.
Flawless steel, katana Gekkabijin.
Lonely moonlight.
Solitude of transience.
The beauty of sad evanescence grants the people appreciation.

A lifetime since Pride gave birth to the Hegemon.
Serbian blade, schiavona Caudillo.
Fearless warlord.
Inspiration by example.
The model of the hero inspires the people.

A lifetime since Pride gave birth to the Hegemon.
Ancient memory, gladius Dignitas.
Valued possession.
Legacy of honor.
The name of the sovereign defines the people.

A lifetime since Pride gave birth to the Hegemon.
The black sword, Desrona
Truest mind.
Origin of birth.
The mind at the beginning binds the people to the vision.


This work by Ronald Mina is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Safe Journey

A safe trip to you
Though you go across the world
My heart is with you


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A Familiar Silence

Today I saw you from afar
It was a first in much time
Or perhaps it was a last?

Even then, my mind was mute
Muzzled by a certain thing
I do not know what to think

A familiar silence
My mind did not heed my call
Twas another who acted

Treacherous eyes bore witness
Heart of glass that did whimper
Lungs that did not do their work

Unholy strain my chest did feel
My hand reached across that space
Untold agony of loss

Is the first last or last first?
Heart no longer speaks to heart
What could I say to reach you?

Could emotions bridge that gap?
Can you hear my heart screaming?
Or is your heart deaf to it?

I don't know what else to do
Now I pray for miracles
Will some kind god grant me one?

A familiar silence
An unbearable silence
In that place in me that's yours


This work by Ronald Mina is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

85

Three lines, seven beats. Super short to mimic ancient brevity. The counts are mostly to keep the mind distracted

I hate you and I love you
I do not know why this is
But I am tortured by it


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Slaying the Dreamer

Slaying the Dreamer
Some call it a horrid crime
I call it mercy


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Time Lost

In lost memories
Ancient glories never fade
Time, eternal foe


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King of Heroes

Knight of greatest loyalty
Forge your soul into a blade
So that you do not lose your way
This is the path of the Highest Duty
With many lives is it paved

Knight of greatest loyalty
You will never know peace in this world
The next is filled with eternal battle
Build your will as you would your strength
For it is your soul that leads you

Knight of greatest loyalty
You will rise to the state of legend
The future shall look to you as the past
To you is the highest of praise
As the King of Heroes


This work by Ronald Mina is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

This Body is Merely

This body is made from iron
Blood of fire and heart of glass
Crossing countless battlefields
Not once retreating
Not once being understood
Eternal loneliness
Waiting for one's arrival
If there is no meaning to my existence
then this body is merely a sword


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84

Wheels of time, one per person
Relentless flow forward
Sometimes fast, sometimes slow
Slaves to its eternal turning


This work by Ronald Mina is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.