Poem: "Dragon Tiger Wind Cloud"

[ysabetwordsmith]

This poem came out of the April 3, 2012 Poetry Fishbowl.  It was inspired by the_vulture, who wanted to read about kung fu robots.  Now the thing about martial arts is, they aren't just about fighting.  If you're programming super-soldiers, that might be considered a problem...

Thanks to marina_bonomi for turning me on to the kung fu flute.  I was particularly charmed by

Comments

[marina_bonomi]

'One was painting a tiger on its forearm
to match the dragon that was already almost dry.'

It may sound silly, but this is giving me the shivers from childhood memories about a beloved TV character I would have wanted in the family.
Does any one of them play the bamboo flute?

[the_vulture]

Kwai Chang Caine?

Well...

[ysabetwordsmith]

It's funny, I've never seen more than snippets of that show, but it's so much a part of certain cultural layers that I've picked up some of the resonance anyhow.

And I've added the flute-playing robot above.

Re: Well...

[the_vulture]

Interestingly, I've never seen much of the show, either, but still so much of it has found its way into common modern Western usage.

[catsittingstill]

I like the way your poems conjure a spark of humanity in everything that gets a close enough examination. I enjoy thinking about robots that paint calligraphy and dragons.

Thank you!

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> I like the way your poems conjure a spark of humanity in everything that gets a close enough examination. <<

This is good to hear. I perceive the whole world as alive. It's an example of how a writer's beliefs, experiences, and worldview tend to influence what they write in subtle ways even when they're not being explicit. So I can look at anything, and perceive the divine spark in it, and bring that out where readers can enjoy it.

>> I enjoy thinking about robots that paint calligraphy and dragons. <<

Ah, you'd probably like my silicos then. They're very spiritual people, though they lean more mystic Christian. If you can imagine Quaker androids, that's pretty close. They're in my science fantasy universe.

[janetmiles]

They knocked him unconscious,
very carefully,
and carried him to his bed
where they left him in a comfortable position,
albeit without his weaponry.

Wonderful. Thank you!

You're welcome!

[ysabetwordsmith]

I'm glad you liked this.

*chuckle* If you're a warmonger, you really don't want to pick a fight with pacifists, let alone peaceful warriors who can work both conflict resolution systems. You will lose. Badly.

[the_vulture]

Sadly, due to the nature of their physiology, they were not caught getting drunk in the bamboo stands... :)

Well...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Just because they're not organic life and probably not susceptible to alcohol in the same manner as humans, doesn't necessarily mean they can't get intoxicated somehow. And some of the things that will get technolife tipsy are ... interesting.

Re: Well...

[the_vulture]

Robbie is tripping on EMP...

Re: Well...

[siege]

Human being becomes walking computer virus -- a man with an implanted RFID chip carrying infectious code... but what would such a virus have as its payload?

And then, can you imagine the influence of visualizing cosmic rays and background radiation?

[ext_1054020]

This was very amusing. Loved the first line/enjambment and the "The more they practiced"/"The commander demanded to know" stanzas.

Thank you!

[ysabetwordsmith]

I'm glad you enjoyed this. It's especially nice when readers share their favorite lines.

There are several other poems in the series, following individual robots as they scatter.