The birds cry in the night

Spitting blood on clean cement

I still manage to hold the sword

back shaking in nervous quake

ice on the back of my neck

I am frozen with fear like icicles in the wind.

Violent winds pick me up as another kick rolls into my gut.

falling now from a great height I block another strike to the right

quick counter with the heat scraping my blade to his feet

he smiles that devilish smile as if rain could turn into steam

sound of the blade like thunder crack we see each other’s grin.

This battle so afraid I was but now I see the blissful glare

as reflection of moon bounces in the night each other’s swing filled with crimsoning light.

Cut like butter in a knife ice climbs up my splitting side

crying like a child with wounded sight brings me tears of painful might

raging stab sings it love as burning hurt fills its grudge

standing side to side waiting for the silent thud.

The tree in the corner across river of glittering falls gives me one last thought

how beautiful was this valiant fought fear in love rage is lost

as blood puddle greets the night sky with plain mirror of solid flail

so do the birds of this distant tree give their final wail.

Silent like the buds of a flower I give into gravity in no sweet sorrow.