"Heat-lighting streak"

Heat-lighting streak by Matsuo Basho

Heat-lighting streak-

Through darkness pierces

The heron’s shriek.

This poem was by X.J. Kennedy. The poem is an original haiku from Matsuo Basho (1644-1694). These haiku was directed to the to the soldiers who strike fear to their enemies. “Heat-lighting streak,” have the meaning that a attack should be strong and fast, point to a specific target. Precision is a vital key to any attack. Every attack is mean to hit its target. The phrase, “Through darkness pierces,” have the meaning that any precise attack will be hit its target as long is consistent and fallow, just like a lighting. At the end of any confrontation one or the other person will lose. “The Heron’s shriek,” symbolize the end of the confrontation and the announcement of a victory.

            The imaginary speech makes you think about a lighting traveling across a dark night. The strength and the power behind the lighting is show and hear across the land, being Strong enough to create fear, making the animals around scream. As any actually thunder in the middle of the night will scared the birds away.