Nov5

Sentaku

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{Denise gracefully hosts Six Sentence Stories, where writers unleash their magic under one simple rule: in no more or no less than 6 sentences.
This week’s prompt word is : BALANCE }

*

[ Tamahagane, the steel jewel; full of impurities and hidden qualities]
To allow a fly to rest on my palm… to allow myself to be humble

[Kawagane, the hard outer layer of the katana blade; heated up, folded, hammered, again and again and again until a million layers become one]
A melody of dusk cuts deeper than a sword

[Shingane, the heart steel; soft and flexible, enables the katana to absorb shocks without breaking]
Amber, heliotrope and silence… scents of hands unmet

[Tempering the red-hot blade]
Dare to balance at the edge of the sun until a kind wave embraces me

[Notare Hamon; the visible wavy line across the blade of a katana]
One word, one heartbeat, one sigh… alive… am I?

A voice calls:
Naoki…Kaze awaits you… are you ready?

*
選択 sentaku : choice

BTCOWIK
Spira / Nick © November 2023

 

24 responses »

  2. The forging of a Katana – possibly the greatest balancing act in human manufacturing endeavour – from balancing the hard edge to the soft core, then the temperature of the swordsmith’s fire, not too hot not too cold. The curve of the blade to it’s length. All factors that need to be in harmony to make a viable cutting edge. Almost like your skill of balancing words with pen and paper! Fantastic as always.

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  4. “Are you ready?”
    An important 3 word question to ask oneself. Imo, the answer must only be “yes”. Even if it wants to be “no”. Living by chance is to not participate, not accept responsibility. Think of all that would be missed.

    Humility, vulnerability, longing, faith, courage…

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    • Hit gently a finished blade, in the way one would hit a diapason… if it’s poorly made, then the sound produced will be almost muted, undefined; much like words written as an obligatory gesture.
      But if the blade is masterfully crafted, then it resonates clearly; no different from words that are written from a place of pure presence.
      “…even if it wants to be “no’
      Humility, vulnerability, longing, faith, courage…” … You hear that, Denise? The sound of resonance.

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  8. better than multi-media… multi-frame-of-reference (plus a multi-genre thing that I’m not even gonna address, being envious of them what have ‘poetry’ as a pre-set in their EQs)

    liked this Six. The contrast between imagery manages to impart and, subsequently, enhance a certain energy that grabs the Reader in a hold more compelling and enjoyable as any “There once was a man from Nantucket…”*

    * I have no idea… ‘ceptin it’s a compliment!

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If writing is the painting of a voice, pick up your brush and paint a comment!