I don't have a definite title for this one... I could use "Nine-tailed Fox" though. What do you guys think, too obvious?
I'm dreaming of
A nine-tailed fox.
Held close
To my chest.
Locked in
Nine sets of eyes,
Nine faces,
Nine beings,
Nine thoughts,
Nine feelings,
Nine laughs,
Nine voices.
Shared by
Nine pretty spirits.
Carressed on
My pink sheets.
I'm dreaming of
A nine-tailed fox.
I know this poem is probably hard to understand or "get". But scrutinize it carefully before you post any questions (however, I will be happy to answer them!). The only part I would like to clarify is the use of the word "pink" in the second to last paragraph. The color pink symbolizes tolerance, patience, and love; it is used as such in the poem. Enjoy! Please comment!
This is an odd question, but are you familiar with Japanese culture? If you are not, then I guess what I think this poem about is wrong. But this seems to be about Kitsune which in Japanese mythology are fox spirits, which usually have 9 tails. So their are two types of Kitsune (I forget their titles) but basically some of them are mischievous and like to trick humans and others are good and nice. They also have the ability to possess humans. Could it be that this poem is about someone who was possessed by a Kitsune, and is recalling that time? That would explain most of the poem, I think except for the part about pink sheets.
ReplyDeleteI'm probably wrong, because I'm the only one I know who studies Shinto in her spare time, but this is just my interpretation of the poem.
Actually, you're dead on. I am very into Japanese culture and animation. Not so much as I used to be, but I did study some about Kitsunes. I'm surprised someone else knew!! You've also understood the poem PERFECTLY. I knew most people wouldn't understand possession by fox spirits, so if anyone asked then I just planned on simplifying the answer to multiple personality disorders. I'm very happy you recognised what it was really about. Although, it's more of the "dreamer"'s recollection of a person they know. That's why the pink sheets confuse you. The speaker is thinking of someone they take care of. Someone who is, just as you said, the spirit of a Kitsune in a human body. Thus the nine personalities, nine tails. Again I'm really really happy you understood it so quickly. I also didn't think anyone else was like me :)
ReplyDeleteI automatically thought of the kitsune too, but in my experiance they were more malicious than mischeivous. So I thought of someone coming to terms with theirs or those around them faults and anger. That's what I saw.
ReplyDeleteYESSS!!!! Dead on! I thought that the nine-tailed fox stuff was just a coincidence! I was a bit surprised because I didn't realize that many people knew about this sort of stuff. You like Anime? That's awesome. Go Japan!
ReplyDeleteJAPAN FOR THE WIN! I love you people XD
ReplyDeleteYes! Someone with the same point of view as me! Japan is definitely awesome. It has the best animes, music, and is awesome inspiration for poetry!
ReplyDeleteNot to detract from the rally for Japan on this post, but I think it might be worth exploring the place of "the trickster" in all cultures...Native Americans, Nordic cultures, Greek and Roman myth all have variations of this theme (though I agree that the Kitsune is the most complex and interesting) I am envisioning a story where these different characters come together and ...Who knows?
ReplyDeletealso, the poem is fabulous...what a well-developed speaker, your third-person voice is continuing to grow and mature!
Whoops! Sorry Horvath, we're a little off track! I have done a little glancing at cultural myths and things, especially Greek. It seems like EVERYONE in Greek myths is filled to the brim with wit and clever tricks. Hercules, Ulysses, Perseus, ect. I'm glad to hear you favor kitsunes though. And if someone could successful sow a seamless story (like my alliteration?) mixing the "tricksters" of the world, I would definitly read it.
ReplyDelete