The Last Samurai vs. Blonde Girl First

A poem. Dedicated to Nadya, the poet whom I take literally too many times. Special thanks to Spirit Games of Ultimate Frisbee, and the Samurais of Werribee.

The Last Samurai vs Blonde Girl First cover image

Werribee film strip

in the depths of the Werribee forests
fourteen warriors venture into unfamiliar lands
they climb atop summits, drench in rivers
as a clan, they stay

but as darkness approaches
so do the distances between them
one warrior disappears after the rapids
three take the left
two follow their lead
none return

nine remain
to follow left or risk a right?
the internal battle has begun
who is next?

will you survive as the last samurai?
or will you sacrifice your bravery
as the blonde girl first?

 
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Notes:
This poem is inspired by a recent hike at Werribee Gorge National Park. I introduced a spirit game called “Samurai”, a game I learned from playing Ultimate frisbee. It was a great icebreaker; some of the “Hai-ya” sound effects carried through the hike. Near the end, some of us ran ahead. Others behind took the wrong turn and had to make a detour. According to Fab, one of the hikers joked about being the “blonde girl” who would, in a horror film, go missing first. She later realized there were 2 of them.

At the end of the poem, I am curious: would you rather be the first person to encounter misfortunes, or would you rather be the last person, who sees all the others go before you?

3 thoughts on “The Last Samurai vs. Blonde Girl First”

  1. I am
    Speechless
    Awed by your poetry
    Of such
    Contrasts
    Who writes about
    Warriors and blond girls
    All in the same breath
    Vivid.
    Puzzling.
    Exhilarating.
    The ingredients of a POETIC MIND.

    1. DK–
      As the last one reading
      The first to notice
      To appreciate
      Wonder
      Take action
      Your reply disarms me
      Flatters me
      Strikes me
      A tenacious poet yourself
      Will you a platform
      To share with us your faculty?

  2. Why not

    Why not?
    I say
    Why not?
    When a blogger has taken the time
    The time
    The time to chronicle her adventures
    The time
    The time to illustrate them with images that capture joys and curiosities
    The time
    The time to share only a collection of the most fascinating and memorable moments
    The moments
    The Moments that paint a picture of the writer’s psyche
    Why not
    Why not have the urge to comment
    To comment
    And to acknowledge
    To acknowledge
    And to engage
    To engage
    In a dialogue to create new meaning
    And breathe
    New life into these old posts
    Profound and uncute
    Why not
    Why not?

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