I'd like to thank all the authors who've made their contributions to this section. I'm still accepting submissions, so if you have a poem related to Rurouni Kenshin, please don't hesitate to send them in. If you're not using a default mail editor to send it, kindly place RK Poetry as the subject so I can priotize checking. I hope you find a poem that you like. If not, you can always write your own and I'll just be here waiting. ^^ Otanoshimi! ^^
Battousai’s Sin ·
Gentatsu ·
Haunted Memories
Inferno ·
Inhabitants #2 - The Witness ·
A Vow Unrequited
March ·
Requiem for Meiji Restoration Patriots ·
Sayonara
Silhouette ·
Wandering Warrior ·
Lost ·
Weasel Girl
Sword ·
Tears ·
Untitled ·
Eternal Wanderer
Battousai’s Sin
by Chesed
I sit on the ground
blood flows from my place
spreading everywhere
tainting everything
I smell blood
everywhere, in everything
can’t numb my senses,
sensation overflows,
can’t stop.
a sword in my hand
my fingers close in
blood trickles
engulfing the blade
I hold on tighter
trying to feel the pain,
the hurt, the loss
trying to fill the void
of the empty lives
my belief had cost
trying to absorb the truth
that my efforts were not
as honorable as they sounded
at first.
I wipe the blade
evidence on the cloth
a signature
thrown away,
hoping to forget
the dreams I killed
yesterday.
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Haunted Memories
by Chesed
Struggling to forget
the faces, the words
as my blade cuts in
haunting me
in dreams, in nightmares.
I feel numb
nothing registers.
I feel remorse
too great to hold on to
nonetheless, well-deserved.
Trying to live
not on the expense of others,
I look at my sword
and see my face
half-clear, in the dark.
My scar bleeds
No.
It’s an illusion
There’s no blood on the blade
yet I see them there
slowly dripping
as it steals the life
from the unfortunate.
Trying so hard
to atone for the sins,
can’t ask for forgiveness
I am way beyond that.
Still I hope that someday
I will see my face
on my sword
with no trace of blood
as I search for my rightful place
on this earth or way beyond.
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Silhouette
by Chesed
In this damned forest
I fought a battle.
The trees have seen
when I was once here,
on a mission
to bring back the happiness
they took from me
Happiness I’ve never felt before
never thought that existed.
The sound of blades
cutting though the air,
of explosions, and screams.
I’ve slashed each
and everyone of them
One gave me a scar
It was nothing.
I killed everyone
including Her.
The scent fills the air
drugging me into insensibility,
intoxicating, pulling me to oblivion.
I held her in my arms
praying so hard
open your eyes..
Dammit! Live!!
I didn’t mean to..
She was all that mattered,
the strand of thread
that held me from insanity.
Everything that mattered.
She left me a scar,
and it's all that I have left.
A lifeless maiden,
My wife.
Of all the battles I’ve fought,
this one I lost.
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Sayonara
by Chesed
I probe deeper
into the bleak recesses
of myself, my life
Searching, yearning
for the answer.
Time is up
Almost.
Still lost, still looking
questions grating
on my nerves, my resolve;
Pull me away,
I don’t want to go
Damn that I should
Damn that I must.
Farewell..
I have been blessed
of a life of peace
of momentary happiness,
temporary reprieve.
Good-bye.
He is waiting inside.
Come along now…
I drag myself away
must not look back
Steps are shaky,
unsteady.
I must hurry
I see you..
I feel you reaching in the night
as the darkness
embraces me.
Black
is everywhere
Tiny lights,
fluttering wings
illuminate the void
Casting light
on your sparkling tears..
I have to face him.
A battle inside
to settle.
I must not let him wait
any longer.
To let Him out
to set Him free.
This is the life I chose.
This is what they gave to me.
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Wandering Warrior
by Karra L.
My heart's best friend is anguish;
My heart's brother is pain;
In regret does my heart languish
And from my heart does love refrain.
Now this bloody blade I hold between my hands
Stained with blood and pain and fear,
Makes me realize all that I've lost
And that is everything I've held dear.
Now I wander far and wide,
Like a lost, love-hungry soul
Looking for a place to hide
These scars upon my soul.
Wandering through this maze of sorrow
Feeling like I'm trapped in,
Feeling like there's no tomorrow
For the warrior Rorouni Kenshin
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March
by Shinigami
As I march off to battle
I bid you with my last goodbye
Please tell me you would be fine
I don't wanna see you cry
Hold my hands for one last time
I might not be returning
When I'm gone, think of me still
Feel that I'm still living
Torn apart because of honor
I was killed because of pride
Cover my face with a mask
I've got nowhere else to hide
I killed and killed without any mercy
I killed because of hate
Killed everyone for what I believed in
And now I must accept my fate
Please forgive me for what I've done
I'm sorry but I can't return
As I march off into the setting sun
Let my body burn
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Inhabitants #2 - The Witness
by Hypershadow
I'm getting that feeling
Hasn't happened in a while
I can't seem to look her in the eye
Without cracking that boyish smile...
She and I always go together...
As I stand alone on this shoreline
As the sunset casts shades of red
As I stand in the rising surf
The abandonment of light is what I dread
Because she was never there to greet me
To be my lantern in the darkness
I needed her to show me the way
As a path in the pathlessness
Now I must look to the midnight stars
To show me another destiny
But she will not be forgotten
But I need another light to see
As I stand alone on this shoreline
As the constellations spin above me
I get that feeling of pain and pleasure
Only she could satiate the hunger within me
But as the freezing tide
Covers my idle feet
My mind wanders to the past
That fateful evening in the street
I cannot let go
That sedated, enthralled look in her eyes
As I leaned to her (a kiss followed)
Not knowing the future that lies
Never again, until the next time
Nevermore, for the exception of forever
I'll get that feeling again
Then I'll look to the falling darkness
Space and time
Will witness my memories once again...
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Lost
Misao's Poem to Aoshi
by Chesed
as a child, I looked up to you
wide-eyed with awe.
a face smudged with dirt,
with rumpled hair and a wide grin
gazing at the man standing
before my small feet
in all splendor and glory
with all bearing and grace.
never cared to understand
never cared to decipher
the intriguing enigma,
seeing through ice blue eyes
the wonder in bright colors.
breaking through the barricades
with my little hands
and hearty giggles.
I held your hand for years
and they were strong but gentle
helping me on my feet
and teaching me to be strong.
those were the same flesh
that soothed the tender weeping
and washed away the fears.
everyday was sunny
just as long as I was with you.
no wound could hurt me
so long as you took me in your care.
nothing was impossible
with you by my side,
and I reveled in each moment
every time you smiled.
but all was bound to end
and no one ever warned me.
so peaceful was I deep in slumber
blissfully unaware
that fate had played its joke
on innocence and youth.
I held your hand for years
a long, long time ago
one day I woke up
couldn't find you through the tears.
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Gentatsu
by Erika
Gentatsu
That battle fought
amongst the endless bamboo
The glistening leaves
cut the air
as sharp
as my blade through your flesh
Oh Gentatsu
how red your blood was
as it stained
and revived
the scar on my cheek
I sweep your blood
in a spary on the ground
and leave you lifeless
without a sound
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Inferno
A Tribute to Shishio
by Chesed
blood..
the constant scent of death
on my hands..
hovering over my being.
faithful to my duty
true to my lords
i performed each task
with the swish of my sword -
hushed by the flesh of the chosen one.
a successor was i
completing an unfinished charge
moving in the shadows,
a powerful weapon amidst the chaos.
but with all the dark missions
grew the fear of what i've become
an assassin who knew too much
who had power in his hands.
i was unaware of betrayal
staring me at the face
alone was i
then powerless to fight the blaze
fire was the end of my obligation
as i felt the flames licking my entire body
each patch of skin scorched to its limit.
yet i have survived this treachery
with rage seething inside of me
a new purpose fueling my existence
as i feel hell trapped under my skin
burning so intensely
with each and every breath
wanting to break loose
and seek revenge in blood..
the strong shall live
and the weak shall perish
a new ideology to fill the emptiness,
the passion for vengeance
reflected in every death.
i shall live to see the ruins
to witness the crumbling of dreams
setting the place of the living
to the inferno of hell.
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Reqiuem for Meiji Restoration Patriots
by Khayt
To the desecrated graves,
lies peprpetual sins.
To the dishonored warriors,
revenge is lost.
Forever in the minds of people
the dying hopes
the dawn of sun never fails.
Fighting for honor
with eyes that gleams like the
moon reflected by water.
Fireflies near the rivers
witnessed,
the undying hopes of men.
The last days...
hope and honor
love and betrayal
no one would know...
Where is victory?
Washed away in the mist of spring.
Two ideals where fought
did we loose?
After the bloodshed
Why is that smile in the minds
can be seen?
Maybe we lost,
our hopes
burried in our graves
but with that, new life was born.
Now we can rest
for there is peace.
By our failure, we also won.
Peace in the desecrated graves.
May you have perpetual smiles in your hearts.
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A Vow Unrequited
by Jackie
This warrior made a sacred vow
To never kill again
Until now…
Those memories were bitter and tart
His name had struck fear into every man’s heart
He’d wandered the earth for ten lonely years
Longing to erase those faces filled with fear
Until he came to a small town
Where he would try to settle down
He lived with the friends he had newly made
Who didn’t care about his past
Or how many he’d slain
He protected them with all he had
His speed and technique
Yet he’d rarely get mad
With his style and reverse blade sword
He’d knock out his enemies
With one blow and no more
His love for his friends was strong and great
Especially for the girl he had met that first day
She was stubborn and strong
And hated to admit when she was wrong
One day, an old manslayer came to the town
Killing anyone in his path who put him down
Our young hero, a legend of great might
Would certainly be a worthy fight
She knew she had to let him leave
This might be the last time he would be seen
He might not return this time, he knew
But he must protect his friends and Kaoru
Then in an instant swipe
The manslayer carried her into the night
Our young swordsman, became enraged
That night their duel would be fought with blades
To rescue the women he loved from the start
To save her from a murderer's hard heart
When he arrived, he fought with speed and grace
But when he was hit
He couldn’t see the look on her face
Tears welled in her eyes as he attempted to stand
His warm blood trickling down to his hand
Then the manslayer knew his concern
The girl is what he was fighting for
He used his magic to paralyze her body and lungs
He had five minutes until the evil spell one
The only escape was the manslayer's death
Either that or Kaoru’s own strength
His vow or her life?
He glanced at her face
Her paralyzed fear
Her mouth agape
He then remembered the Battousai within
And in one final blow
Would slice Jinai’s skin
She knew if he killed
He would have to leave
He’d return to his old ways
The past would reface
In a final attempt
While the sword sliced the air
She cried out and he turned
This is what he saw there:
Her tears streamed down her precious face
He now understood what she was trying to say
She began to fall
Death closing in
He dropped his sword and his arms caught her then
Her lifeless body
Cold and pale
He could not let this happen
In this he must not fail
She must hold on
She mustn’t die
As he told her this
He began to cry
“I must protect the one I love”
He whispered softly from above
She repeated what he said to her
As her breath slowly returned
Her love for him had broken the curse
They gazed into each others wavering eyes
No longer ashamed of the tears they cried
The slayer, on the ground he lay
Could not believe her will to save
The one she loved
She’d rather die
Than see him kill before her eyes
He drew his sword
His failure great
And there decided his own fate
The two, relieved, held each other close
Their love for each other unraveled, uncurled
They only needed each other in this cruel world
Love's power around them
Erased all mistakes
As they sat wounded and bleeding
In a cold, moonlit place
His hand on her cheek
She put hers there as well
As they were embraced in loves magical spell
Her eyes closed for a moment
Basking in his touch
A tear on her cheek
Touched both their hands
And their hearts
When she opened her eyes
His caring face was all she saw
His eyes were upon her
They both stared in awe
They both moved closer
No longer afraid of the truth
And there in the stillness
Shared their first kiss as proof
As they kissed
Tears fell like crystal streaks
Her hand in his hair
While he caressed each tear stained cheek
As they parted
The wind blew cool and light
Their hair swaying gently
Around their eyes
She fell into his arms
He held her so close
They lay together in silence
As the sun slowly rose
As they walked back to the dojo
Where they lived with their friends
They made a new vow
As they grasped each others hands
They would stay together
No matter what the cost
No matter the danger
Their love would not be lost
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Weasel Girl
by Denise Li
The Weasel Girl's waited too long
She should be singing a different song
'Cause Aoshi won't ever let her in
We all know she tries but she doesn't win
She's grown far too fond on him
It's a sin, Weasel Girl, it's a sin
It's an everyday routine
She cries and then she dreams
But he walks by without a care
All she can do is hope and stare
And flirt with him? She wouldn't dare
He doesn't care, Weasel Girl, he doesn't care.
The Weasle Girl's done all she can
In hopes of winning her favorite man
It is dawn and the day is new
And she's never seen the sky so blue
And even if her love is true
He sees through you, Weasel Girl, through you
You love him, Weasel Girl, but he doesn't love you...
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Sword
by Samantha
My soul is pure, but yet I am unsure
I don't like this life, that I don't
Life is so funny by how people depend on others.
Yet they don't care or love back
It is pointless, that it is
I want to die sometimes
Yet I can not permit myself to do so
Because I am strong
Hide my tears in my soul
Why can't I cry, I want to do so
I hold back my words, so others don't see that I've grown weak,
I fight with a sword, that will keep others from getting near me.
Skilled at the sword I am, yet sometimes I miss and slash myself.
I am so tired from this, and the blade hurts so much.
But I promised that I would protect people I care for.
And I will do so till I die
Protecting them from danger, keeping their bodies and souls intact.
When in fact I show scars from where I missed.
And I'm starting to give up
Because I miss more and more, that I do.
For this, in time I will leave
To find someone I can protect more.
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Tears
by Namida
You knew it
You felt it
The Goddess's tear
It lingered on her cheek
Than slowly disappeared
Purple, orange, gray, and black
Was once there
Now is back
Why? You ask
We do not know
Although
We believe the tears fell here
Like rain from the sky
Like that simple swish of a butterfly
From the heavens it fell
And caused the ocean to swell
It rains and monsoons
The other Goddess's wonder
What caused the Earth to rumble
They look to and fro
And suddenly know
It was her
The newest Goddess
That came not long ago
She was sitting alone
In the back
Wings wrapped around herself
Crying many a tear
You only felt one
The one that was tender
You think of her
She thinks of you
You hold her ribbon
But you do not know
She is a Goddess
Steely and fair
She dictates life
And watches over you
Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted
By the other Goddess's shouts of dismay
"You must'n't cry!"
She gives them a feeble smile and wipes her tears
And goes back to her thoughts
Such a Goddess I am
And such a Goddess I shall be
Therefore I must make sure
He finds a happiness
Other than his sword or me
The day was now over
She had spent it in thought
She sends her love to him
Telling him never to give up
To fight for a new Era with all he's got
Then to show through the bad
He must never kill again
She looks at his sleeping form for a reply
Though nothing is said
Then she realizes
Love is remembered through tears
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Untitled
by Vici Kerry
Her blood I can smell.
Near the fire I seem to dwell.
I left because of her.
My emotions stir.
I watched her die.
She's the past I'll try to hide.
I loved her so...
She gave me a scar and let me go.
Outside and in.
So for her a new life I'll begin.
So I'll wander and never kill.
For me time has stood still.
The last wish in my will?
To be with her before she was killed.
Whats worse it was by me.
Her shocked face I can still see.
So I'll leave and won't be seen.
Skill still sharp and eyesight keen.
Times like these I wish I could die,
but I must keep future peace in mind.
So here I sit on my bleeding throne.
Scared inside and utterly alone...
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Eternal Wanderer
by Maxime
Life in the shadows once was his,
No longer lies this inner form.
Reluctant to show a nature that is,
Unforgotten his past will reform.
Taking blade in hand he does not blink,
To set his mind aside without a doubt.
Never going beyond or he will sink,
Back to what he was remorse is not without.
Lingering no more upon the past,
To let go of nothing less.
One life passes so fast,
Yet wandering is eternal to confess.
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