Unicorn Travel Poetry
All during their journeys, the Unicorn developed a style of poetry far different from the minimalist haiku the Rokugani practice. Called 'travel poetry', it is a unique style of proverb and poem, sometimes written in humor but often intended to teach a lesson and serve as a reminder to those who have learned it. The Unicorn view haiku as far to esoteric to be useful. Their style of poetry is utilitarian, humorous, and educational.
Travel poetry rarely rhymes, but always uses alliteration. It also usually involves five lines without consideration to meter or rhythm and a sixth line that sums up the poem. The first two lines of the poem will alliterate, the third line will alliterate within itself. Teh pattern continues for the fourth and fifth lines and the sixth. A certain style of travel poem - called the 'death poem' - is unique in its style, for the last line does not alliterate. This is to represent the 'jarring' nature of death; the last line never fits the expectations of the reader, catching him off guard. The most distinguished Unicorn Poet was Ide Luden.
Travel poetry rarely rhymes, but always uses alliteration. It also usually involves five lines without consideration to meter or rhythm and a sixth line that sums up the poem. The first two lines of the poem will alliterate, the third line will alliterate within itself. Teh pattern continues for the fourth and fifth lines and the sixth. A certain style of travel poem - called the 'death poem' - is unique in its style, for the last line does not alliterate. This is to represent the 'jarring' nature of death; the last line never fits the expectations of the reader, catching him off guard. The most distinguished Unicorn Poet was Ide Luden.
Weight and Wisdom
Better to have wisdom
Best to have weight
In the desolate desert
A poor strong man
A prosperous sickly man
Under heat and fire,
how do they fare?
Fast is the Foe's Grasp
Showed himself quite brave
Even though a loathsome race
Fast is foe's grasp
Assuredly he was dead
Open wound on his head
The chosen child was not mine.
Gifts
Great praise can be won
With small gifts
I have found friendship
With something
As simple as
A pastry twist and tea
Travel Poetry from Across the Burning Sands
by Daniel Lovat Clark
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I rode past two white trees.
It grew so dark I could hardly see. Tried to go home, but never again. I'd ridden clean out of the realms of men. ------------------------------------------------ Far-off al-Zawira Lies now where we once made war. Nothing of those kings still stood Paid in full for Shinjo's blood. ------------------------------------------------ The whitepine forest of HIsu Mori glistens in the snow. To that place of perfect stillness still my spirit longs to go. I'll bring my beloved thither and uncover her eyes to show Her the heart that beats within me, and my love she soon will know. ------------------------------------------------ A Lion met a Unicorn Underneath the forest's horns. The Lion spoke uncivil words. We answered him with sharpened swords! ------------------------------------------------ Around me spreads a golden sea. A more bountiful land I'll never see. As far as I ride and wherever I roam, The Golden Plains are always my home. ------------------------------------------------ |
Behold the setting sun; it leaves a trail of gold.
Someday I will follow it as Shinjo did in days of old. To ride to the Burning Sands where the nights are icy cold, That is my destiny, for only Ki-Rin could be so bold. ------------------------------------------------ An Ide rode to Uchi-san In the summer when days were long. He waited for an audience there And rode home with snow in his hair. ------------------------------------------------ Utaku Chiseko Who rode with Shinjo long ago, Told her men they must not drink. They swore their vows with a wink. ------------------------------------------------ Like the hawk who takes to the wing To see the world spread around her, I sing Of hidden glens and ancient trees and waterfalls. The world is large, but we humans are small. ------------------------------------------------ |
(This is a transcription from entries within “Way of the Unicorn” from the first edition of the L5R RPG and "Across the Burning Sands" Unicorn novella. In no way do I own any of this or is any of my original work. The full PDF can be found on DriveThruRPG. Please support the official product.)
