His steel katana
Cleaves its way
Through air swiftly
Like a dragonfly
Through would-be
Thieves and killers
With their lustful
Eyes set on a
Single woman in a
Crimson silk kimono
Carnation-pink sash
Around her waist
Alone and defenceless
But primarily on
Her ribboned purse
Full of ryo—
A stillborn crime—
A bright stream
Of loosened blood—
A scattered mess
Of dead fools—
The lone samurai
On horseback
Rides off, hoofbeats
Kicking up dust,
Only to turn
Around and offer
The young woman
A mounted ride home.
As she steps closer
To accept his unspoken
Offer, her thanks,
The woman takes her
Horsebound protector by the
Transparent hand,
Confronting him face
To no face—
Noppero-bo: Japanese: “Faceless phantom.”
Ryo: A gold currency unit used in ancient Japan before 19th Century
American contact.