The Katana

I am cold steel forged by your intent
Your hammering, your shaping creates the sunobe.
My future strength determined by
Your work

You chose this block of steel
And so, the child of Scottish warriors becomes
A fighting blade

Do you see irregularities and flaws
In the pre-form you have made?
If so, then chose again and know
Not the steel, the man who forges
Makes the fault.
You hammered, beat and shaped me to this form
Look on and judge
Discard me now if fatal fault is what you see

Chose to continue,
Beat me through and through.
Apply the force with skill
So I do not twist and
Am not formed with hidden fractures
To fail You at a time of need.

Heat me, normalise me to your design,
Make me tough and fine
Heat me and I change in structure
But my composition remains

Finish basic forging,
Make your sword,
Coat me in clay
Keep my soft back from breaking,
Let it stay resililiant to accept the hardest blows

Heat me again harden my edge to sharpen to a deadly blade
But, heat me too much and I will crack
Quench me, as I harden
I bow in reverence to your skill and to prove
My future strength

Finally decorate me – show your artistry
My outer beauty reflects your skill
Use me – do not let me be for show
Hold me with you always for you made me so.