Reflection:
Summer, 11th year of the Meiji era–Spring, 12th year of the Meiji era
By Meii-chan
Parched plants withering,
Desperate for cool water,
Sunlight remains strong.
Harsh rain plummeting,
Tearing through the air like blades.
Then, a chill sets in.
Bright red leaves falling,
Lying limply underfoot,
A path steeped in blood.
The sound of footsteps—
Flying as the quiet shatters,
Wings flee away south.
Heaven's gift falling,
Covering the tragedy,
Hides decaying life.
A small seedling sprouts.
White covers the blooming doubt.
It trickles away.
Wings and hope return.
Flowers dormant under white,
Are now blossoming.
The path emerges.
It heads into the unknown.
Life began again.
To be continued…
Author's notes: Soujiro has turned Hijikata! (And Hijikata has turned into an adjective…great…)
Fun with symbolism! Yes, this piece does not mention people in any way, shape or form! I tried getting away from the rain motif, and I failed…I guess the original Rurouni Kenshin symbolism still prevails…
The changing seasons are supposed to represent the way Soujiro saw his past, with the snow representing the Tenken, "heaven's gift," and the plants represent emotions that whither, decay, and ultimately spring back to life again. And since the extended metaphor used here is the changing seasons, then eventually the cycle will start again in the future, and let's just say Soujiro's journey isn't exactly a walk in the park. But I hope the ending has some hint of hope and not pessimism. (I don't know why, but all of my poetry tend to be dark…maybe it's just easier to write dark poetry…) Er…I need to start studying for my plant test in Biology, maybe that's making all the plant-y connotations. Yes, that's it…
Thanks to all you reviewers! (I hope the sheer poetry-ness of this didn't boor you, since I know I can't read poetry myself…)
"Oro" Object: Thanks! I don't know who else would mutate a children's book like I would, so it's pretty safe to say that I wrote this fanfic!
Okane-sama: Nope, it's not a one shot. Although sometimes I wonder if I should have left it as it is…
RoseGoddess874: Thank you! I read your fics when I have some free time! (Mumbles something about AP exams.)
Azimel: Thanks for taking the time to write such a long review! (You see, it gives me more to rant about in response) As for the "chopping up…" part, I stuck that in there, because I wanted it to sound more childish and ordinary. After all, Soujiro was a kid, so he would think that way (as opposed to "slicing through flesh, the blade glistening with lustrous scarlet blood…" You get the idea.) Yay brightness…funny though, I think you must be psychic or something…
Love Chronicle: Indeed. But it is quite funny.