by Christine Joseph
The tale began under a cherry blossom tree,
the tale that shaped a nation.
It came,
not from the adages of Chinese legend,
nor from the mouths of noble men.
One woman,
alone in her plight to reveal,
the greatest story ever,
broke the unformed mold.
Her name, simply --
Murasaki
Her story --
The Tale of Genji
Adventure Love Peace Aware
"Murasaki! Murasaki!"
Loud cries within
the hallowed halls of Heian-Kyo beckon
"What have you done?"
"What have you done?"
The Prince's journey,
chronicled in the native tongue,
slipping away from the imitation
of the Mainlanders. . .
Chinese scholars would NEVER accept
a mere woman
writing her way into history
Who knew what a commotion it would cause!
In the Empress Akiko's service,
she feared nothing. . .
but. . .
day by day,
the watchful eyes of the bakufu waited,
and waited
until. . .
the end came and the age of romance came to a close
From aristocrats to the destitute
Still, the legend lives,
the tale lives
Murasaki no monogatari. . .