Words from the Sengoku Jidai

Whispers


Do the whispers that you hear
as you walk smoothly through the crowd
moving silently, strongly, proud --
your presence fodder for their fear --
do the whispers that you hear --
Inugami, monster, thing
Hanyou, abomination -- bring
dark memories to mind so clear?

Words that once cut you to the heart
have set your life a world apart.

Whispers easy, whispers cheap
Caught your mother long ago
Tears that came without a blow,
A poisoned life to make her weep.
Whispers easy, whispers cheap
Sometimes barbed create a haze
Sometimes blow into a blaze
Bitter is the fruit they reap.

As you remember her tears and sighs
Still the child within you cries.

Whispers, whispers as you walk,
about the girl who stands with you --
it would hurt her if she knew
what they say with all their talk.
Whispers, whispers as you walk,
But her heart it will not yield,
So your love must be her shield.
She will not run, she will not balk.

And as her great heart stands with you
Her love will show you what to do.