Shikanoko

the deer’s child, honed by
light and dark sorcery
deep in the dark wood

love of the Autumn Princess
his undoing and long sorrow
lady Hina’s love his salvation

with five magical, imp sons
two became his bane
would have to deal with in time

while his sixth human son
imp and Tengu trained
his champion soon became

and daughers? perhaps…
the tale does not say
suggests so, but not today

pawns in heaven’s games
stones on the board of
the Tengu’s game of Go

–LE – 5/7/24

This was inspired by Lian Hearn’s four short volumes story, The Tale of Shikanoko which includes: The Emperor of the Eight Islands; Autumn Princess, Dragon Child; Lord of the Dark Wood; and The Tengu’s Game of Go.