Wooden Sword

‘let your limb be whole with the sword’ said sensei,
‘close the gap between your hands’ and the sword’s way’

for awhile the sword cuts the air,
sounds of cicada is what I hear

poring out of the earth’s surface, clinging to a wood it screams,
roaring its life out, making seventeen years of its dreams

a wooden sword silently cuts the air.

6.25.2020