The Broncos’ Voice -| ^
December 1993
The Broncos' Song
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I by Norbort Jbzocb
My master took on a woman as his student, which was
controversial at the time, even in Wado Tao. She was from
Yang-Tsi, where the lights always burn, and had rarely been
out to the country, where my master and I lived. At the end
of her first month here, my master woke me up and told me to
fill the water skins and prepare to walk. Having been by
master’s servant for some time, I knew better than to ask why.
I filled the skins and wrapped my feet. The master and I then
went to his student’s room. The master woke her up and
asked her to accompany us. The moon was new, and I sparked
a lantern. We walked silently far through the forest, our eyes
searching the ground before us in the lantern s weak and airy
light. We came to the site where I had cut down a sick tree
last winter, leaving a stool stump. The master closed his eyes
and sat down.
“Taigoro, the lamp please.” I gave the master the lamp, and
I he extinguished it and placed it back in my hands.
I “Hittomi, please look at the ground.
I “Where, sansei?”
“Can you not find the ground? What are you standmg on?
“Yes, sansei, the ground sansei.”
Hittomi always answered the master’s questions exact y as
he phrased them. She learned it from her father, a venerable
old man who married the princess Mai Lin t m t e
master appreciated her exactness. She kept his abstract
musings “rooted.” ,. i i j
Hittomi stared at the ground, at least, I think she stared at
the ground. The night was so dark she could have een
I drawing a sword on the master and I wouldn t now it.
flames of the lamp still danced on my eyes. I onge to stare
I the ground, to see what the master was trying to teac
student, but I kept my eyes on where I thought t e master
was, waiting for him to call. l v. ^
My legs began to throb, and I knew at least an
passed. I thought the master was asleep. I hear t e woma
say, “Master, what am I looking for? , i j
•No,” he said, “try again.” This mean, that she had asked
the wrong question. I knew ^'a swelled and the
one soon, my legs were aching and my lee
cold was sapping my feet of warmth.
“Master why am I looking at the groun
“You can see the ground?”
“No, sansei.”
“Wait, and try again.” W mv legs hurt so that
It felt like we waited another hour, ^ V
it may have been minutes. She spoke^again.
“Master, why am I looking down? when
“Becaus;,” he said, “it is then so much more beautiful when
you look up.” .
I looked up, and beheld the brightest stars in
sky, and my soreness left me, and my body see
young and strong, and my hara sang.
I do not know how long I stood there.
“Taigoro, the lamp please.” This time he meant for me to
light it.
“Master, I do not need the lamp.” it was the woman.
“Nor do I, master.” said I.
“Then leave it unlit.” said the master, and we went home.
Cease to Sense
by Maureen Washington
I see a yellow rose
Out the corner of my eye.
As I stretch my open palms
Into a vast unending sky.
How I dread the day
I cease to sense.
My lungs are filled with spring.
The air is crisp and clean.
My toes clinch the ground
That is so thick and green.
How I dread the day
I cease the sense.
Even those in pain immense
Dread the day
They cease to sense.
Maureen Washington is sl Junior English
Education major from Fayetteville.