Zhen (True)
/Chen/
Defines 'completion'
Singular accomplishment
Red ink, white paper
Tatsumi finishes for the day, sets aside his completed stamp, and submits the final paperwork. Plans: home, dinner, chores, and rest. It's yet another day.
Later, his hunger's sated, and everything is tidy and well organized.
An unexpected phone call.
"Hi Tatsumi."
"Good evening, Tsuzuki-san."
"I just wanted to see how you were doing tonight."
"Fine. Just finished cleaning."
"Do you want to come have a drink with me?"
"No thank you. I should go to bed soon."
"All right then. Good night."
"Good night."
Complete, but for the usual business.
/Wei/
Intimidation
Kanji's form: 'female' and 'kill'
Awe-inspiring
It looks so nice on paper. Our names together, you and I. Partners in everything, but for my transformation. I can't control it.
I'm in fear of you.
Any minute, you could launch yourself in my arms, like this, and tell me that you want me.
Any minute, you could be twined in my embrace, like that, and tell me that you're sorry - but you don't feel the way I do.
You frighten me the most. With persuasive kindness, your faithful friendship is more than I could ever deserve.
I'm scared.
/Ming/
Forming this kanji
Floats the brilliant moon and sun
It means 'radiance'
Is it right? That brother in the shadow, half-gleam of pale light, his coal black hair floats in a wisp of smoke about his head, the deep nighttime glow infusing such radiant darkness.
Brother, I can hear your voice. Can you hear mine? The call of our shared blood draws us together. You tell me I cannot succeed. You want my failure. But I can't. We'll be reunited. This time, I won't let you hurt me.
This time, I…
It's necessary.
My beloved awaits. See you soon.
/Shuang/
'Comparable rain'
Creates a word meaning frost
It clings to this heart
"Before the bed, the moon's radiance
As well, there is frost on the ground
Raising my head toward the ming moon
Lowering my eyes to thoughts of the past."
Oriya puts away the poem. Four lines, five syllables each and it's merely the hint of a story, bare-boned sensibility of language capturing a moment that was never meant to be more than fleeting.
Time passes and the true meaning is lost with its original owner, lingering echoes capturing shades of text.
Tonight, the shining moon is colorless.
/Qing/
This means clarity
Two words, one sound, yet nuance.
One's water. One's air.
Last night I had a dream where I couldn't tell if the sky was real or not anymore. It had been replaced by water, in a ceiling of equally clear blue.
When I touched the sky I touched water, an ocean of pure liquid that rippled under my fingertips, waves stretching out to the horizon.
I want him to feel that sky within me. I want him to see that encompassing sea.
Tsuzuki didn't know if it meant anything. He dreamt about coffee and dessert.
Baka.
*****
Author's Notes: Five pieces, each of them based on a Chinese character (roughly translated). Each piece begins with a haiku. Each, including the title, is exactly 100 words.
Chinese characters can be broken down into radicals. Thus, putting the words for 'moon' and 'sun' together creates the word for 'radiant.'
The poem quoted in 'Shuang' is by Li Bai. It's the only Chinese poem that I've memorized. This is a very rough translation. I don't know what the title is.
A homonym of my name is in this. I'll leave you to guess.
Zhen can also mean 'real.'
