Poem: "mulberry boys"
This poem came out of the November 4, 2014 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by prompts from eseme, marina_bonomi, siege, and siliconshaman. It also fills the "It all depends on this one choice" square in my 9-1-14 card for the Ladiesbingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to The Origami Mage series.
mulberry boys
where it began is
where it ends: with two children
fighting in the dust
origami mage
and kirigami mage laugh
over their antics
"It is like looking
into a mirror," murmurs
origami mage
"Backwards and forwards,"
kirigami mage agrees,
picking up the boys
they are fragile as
mulberry paper waiting
to be given shape
"You should be brothers
not enemies," advises
origami mage
"Come into our school,"
kirigami mage invites
"and we'll show you how."
the women have been
where the boys are now, and gone
beyond to learn that
it all depends on
this one choice: to be partners
instead of rivals
boys dust themselves off,
mutter new apologies,
and agree to try
they all go inside,
the two master mages and
their mulberry boys
cutting and folding
themselves to fit together
in each other's lives
* * *
Notes:
This poem is written in haiku verses. You can write a haiku, or string them together to form a longer poem like this.
Mulberry paper is a fancy handmade paper with long fibers made from the mulberry tree. It is used in many crafts, including origami and kirigami.