Mostly Harmless

Kenshin before Kaoru. A Rurouni Kenshin fan-poem by Heather Logan.

(Disclaimer: This was written for fun, not profit. Rurouni Kenshin belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki.)


Meet me on the street
and you'll think I'm
harmless
Just a wanderer
a hapless rurouni.
I'll smile,
laugh at your jokes
pretend to trip
on a stone in the road
go all swirly-eyed
for your amusement.
Ask me what I'm looking for
I'll pretend I don't understand
But ask me to protect you

I will not refuse.
This rurouni is not as
harmless
as he seems.
I can still make the death-glare
go all narrow-eyed
This reversed blade
can still strike fear.
You'll see I'm only
mostly
harmless.

Maybe I can protect you
just today, just here
but still
that one moment is enough.
Because
after
it's better to let this one go.
Better not to be too kind
to one who wanders
with no destination.
It will be lonely
but that's
the way it is
Better not to ask me to stay.

Maybe you've heard the stories
Maybe you recognize
this sword
Even so
Better not to ask my name
who I was
who I am
Even now
that name can still strike fear
It's better if these things aren't known.
Instead
Let me maintain this illusion
just a little while longer.
Let me remain
harmless

mostly.