I wake every morning
to pray at the shrine
of mine forefathers
who have come and died
before me.

I write the poem
of my life and my death
before each battle.

Piece by piece 
I dawn my armor
as i prepare for war.

I say farewell 
to my home in the mist 
and mountains.

Any victory is a good victory
though should I face defeat 
I fear not the way of seppuku
for to fail and live is dishonor.

I fight to serve 
with sword in hand.
A extension of who
I am, a extension 
of my soul.

To know life with every
waking breath.
To feel a peace within
all that i do.
To hold my head high 
to honor my ancestors.

To live to fight 
and to die with honor
to live by a code 
a thousand years in making.

This is the way of the warrior.

I will die by the sword
as I have lived.