WEAPONRY (any gender, mid-teens to late thirties)
Please master, say something.
I know it was the finest sword you crafted, a work of art- oh, master please don't look away. Your gaze wounds me but your looking away makes me feel as if I am forever out in the cold-
Was I wrong to defend myself? Was I wrong to survive? Was I wrong to use a weapon as... well... a weapon? To block a blow? Surely the art of fighting loses its art when you're just trying to save your skin.
In fact, isn't that purpose of fighting in the first place?
In which case, why is it important to make these priceless weapons? I mean, is there, like, a special place in heaven for people who kill with something that's decorated really pretty? Come on, master!
If you want to know the truth, that sword only took two blows before it shattered. Two. I had to finish the battle with a log. And you know what? That log did some serious damage!
That's what I'm talking about: The exquisite mystery of weaponry? Gimme a break. Here's the mystery: Does it open a vein, open a heart or open a skull? Answer is all three? Good weapon. Mystery solved. Your weapon failed. I'm NOT sorry!
Copyright 2016 by Matt Haynes.
If you would like to use this piece, please credit: "Courtesy of Matt Haynes and The Pulp Stage"