Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 23:32:56 -0400
From: Alan Myouka Sondheim <sondheim@PANIX.COM>
Subject: Noh 1
Nikuko and Jennifer in gorgeous kimonos; it is dark, the stage lit by
red lanterns decorated with butterfly patterning.
It is a beautiful night here in deep mountains
where I have searched maskless, to serve my love,
Jennifer, as waki or secondary. O, how the
breeze cools my flesh to the sleeping stars. Now,
I await her with the scent of magnolias stealing
in, across unknown seas.
Jennifer:
O Nikuko! I shall not play shite, primary, to your
waki! Shall not don the mask which after all belongs
to you or Alan, borrowed from bits of programmed
flowers, trees, ornaments, the jewel, the sword,
the mirror, the all-devouring sun!
Nikuko:
Nay, already I am unmasked! Neither flesh nor program,
I wander precisely across this stage and its
extensions. Do me the favor, obscene Jennifer, remove
your flesh in favor of the mask!
Jennifer:
Never, never! Shall I disguise myself beyond
what has been given to me by pangs of birth,
kanji after kanji, not forgetting
those particles which make the grammar smooth,
delightful for one and all, my lovely meaning!
Nikuko:
Ah, ah, ah! Must we struggle, then, here in this
mountain fastness, for primacy of flesh against
the rule of shite, mask, proponent, perhaps
a tragedy begins. O Jennifer, listen; the wind
soughs low, someone is coming!
Enter Alan, masked, in female kimono.
Jennifer:
O Alan! Hero! You have saved us, donned the mask,
agreed to act the role destiny has assigned you!
O Creator! O Beauty!
Alan:
Would that I see you clearer, darling Jennifer!
Masked, I inhabit woman's flesh as well; masked,
I come before thee for learning, sorrow, truth.
Nikuko:
Cherry petals fall like blades
of helicopters, pure katana sword
steel, the hilted name, Alan!
Alan:
Night darkens as lanterns flutter, winged, I dream
of butterflies and planes.
Nikuko:
O Alan, courage! Thou hast donned the mask!
Alan:
O Nikuko, shite to your waki, I am your servant,
you have made me thus!
Alan bows. The characters' kimonos fall to the floor. Nohkan flute.
The stage darkens.
They remain, fixed, immobile.
The moon dims to black.
The lanterns.
