The Samurai

My infatuation with Asian culture, admiration for a certain Japanese Anime series, Samurai Champloo, and a line that I often quote that describes my lifestyle, alter ego, and character; "Geisha by day Samurai by night," immediately drew me into Goldberg's chapter entitled, The Samurai, before I even knew what the content would consist of. From the title alone, I knew that it'd impact and influence my perspective on writing in a positive way.

Goldberg states that,

"when you're in the Samurai space, you have to be tough. Not mean, but with the toughness of truth. And the truth is that the truth can never ultimately hurt. It makes the world clearer and the poems much more brilliant."

After reading these words, I immediately took my lime green highlighter to it. I tend to highlight things that I find intriguing, thoughts that may be useful and in the future, and moments that I find myself sinking into a pool of enlightenment after reading. This was definitely one of those sinking moments. I was always taught that the truth is something that "will set you free" or how "the truth hurts". While both of these teachings about truth, are true (5 points for word play, haha) Goldberg's shines light on the after match of it all. After one is hurt by the truth, then is set free by this truth, this truth illuminates an ignorance once held and shines light on ones past clouded mind set allowing ones world to be like crystal, "clearer" and for writers a head rid of ignorance and filled with enlightenment (like that of the enlightenment that I just encountered after reading Goldberg's passage) is a step closer to her/his poems becoming richer and "much more brilliant".

Another admirable thought that I'd like to keep from this reading is, "Write one good line, you;ll be famous. Write a lot of lukewarm pieces, you'll put people to sleep." Ha! Classic.

(Below I've pasted two videos that express my adoration for the ways of the Samurai. These videos are songs from a genre of music that I appreciate greatly--Jazz Hop, it's a fusion of both Jazz and Underground Hip Hop. Underground Hip Hop differs greatly from Hip Hop and Mainstream Rap from in both it's entirety and integrity. Underground Hip Hop is poetry, spoken word, adjoined with music to enhance emotions escaping to be portrayed by the poet/culture and to engage the audience while also enlightening them. Enjoy!)