The Thunder God and The Mud

Ten thousand layers of mud.
Another district crumples to dust.

Eighty four days. Yellow robes caked in mud. Empty hands continue
searching. Scarred and twisted, tendons stretched beyond mortal limits.
Thoughts of Izanagi and Izanami preserve effort and rend doubt.
The clouds have blurred into an ever flowing stream.

Ten thousand layers of mud.
Pagodas shift but do not fall.

Eighty five days. Toothed maw wraps around empty hands. Sheer
strength halts the under pull. It circles through the mud but Izanagi
and Izanami maintain the effort. The position held under a clear
night sky, the dipper shines bright. Tiger roars echo in half-open eyes.

Ten thousand layers of mud.
Maple leaves drift, and drift.

It keeps thrashing, but he won’t let go. Vast black scatters mud
across heavens width. A frantic effort belies desperation. His
grip tightens. Izanagi and Izanami keep him strong. Sunken eyes
gaze upon the setting sun. Broken clouds sail aimlessly.

Ten thousand layers of mud.
All is still.

A pull that could drag heaven itself. Giant black tail flops on the
mud fields, fins and barbels flail. He hauls the catch to the shore,
the blue mountain shines bright. People cheer the laying of the
pinning stone. An empty night. Tigers roam across dream scape.

Ten thousand layers of mud.
Izanagi and Izanami endure.

~~~

Image found here: http://pinktentacle.com/2011/04/namazu-e-earthquake-catfish-prints/

The Namazu myth combined with The Old Man and The Sea. Or at the very least an attempt at that.

Also influenced by noodling: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noodling