The Samurai The cautious morning Brings the worst of warnings- It seems that dawn brings war- Sing Monstrosities on the western wind, Peace and safety made of porcelain, Not time enough to see the outer gates swing closed and death floods in, On steeds, armoured in streaks of sweat beads, and with it swing blades that reek flesh Clean in pieces. The outer reaches of civilisation teaches us nothing without the sword fierce with- Righteousness. End the mortal #life of a samurai, Who stands and fights where others will live where he will die, A faded cry, Another star added to our night sky, And with him, fifty corpses to the burn pile. His sword played teeth to men pushed in as raw meat, They circle round him, The floor littered with those he forced to find peace. The man clad as a Daemon, Fell to the fearsome number of assailants, But as payment, Took fifty men, headless, to gain him entrance to Heaven. -AB