The Talk to the Legend

I'll tell you, my reader, that I should admit:
There's someone whom I would be happy to meet
(While dreaming because I can't do otherwise) -
The master of Kung-Fu, the legend I prise.

So, let me imagine: he met me one night
And started a talk just in front of my sight:

"You're welcome, my dear. What would you like to say?"
I'll probably answer the following way:

"Oh, Sir Lee Jun-Fan, lots of greetings from me!
I cannot imagine what gifts to give thee!
Your body and spirit conspicuously fuse
In the strongest union..."

"Call me just Bruce.
You wanted to get me for you to define
How you can be given the glory of mine."

"Well, maybe..."

"OK, I can give you a hand.
But you'll never beat me - you should understand."

"No, Bruce, Kung-Fu can be just mentioned, not more.
Perfection of mind is what I'm yearning for.
Please, don't judge my logic though it may seem weak,
Just now I'll explain..."

"Do not hurry to speak.
I've understood: you want no borders for mind.
And I could do something of what you are blind.
You're standing before me so that I could say
How I could develop myself in this way."

"Yes, certainly! You're a great sage, after all!"

"Please, don't overpraise me, my flatterering girl!
'Cause wisdom is not that I always possessed..."

"Why should we talk nonsense? You're really the best!
Your wisdom is true."

"Do not argue, my friend.
A sickness may have led to my early end.
And I am, of course, here the only to blame
'Cause I made my body stay always in flame.
You're burning with passion. But still do not chase:
I was thirty two when I ended my days.
It's maybe the way human should not behave,
It's maybe just me who drew my path to grave."

"But it does not matter for me when to die.
Bruce, do not convince me: that's fruitless to try.
What's more, who can prove what could happen to you?
Nobody's aware of what's really true."

"I also don't know it. But one truth exists:
No fight can appear without clenched fists.
My fate has presented me plenty of fans
But I could not see its most wonderful glance."

And now, dear reader, I should beg your pardon
For changing the rhythm - it will not be so ardent.
You will notice calm tones of my speaking dealings,
And Bruce, I believe, will get no painful feelings;
Conversely, my pathos is not to his liking,
He's telling me only:

"Fame is painful striking:
It will ruin your life just like spoiling my own.
You don't maybe pity your kinsfolk at all
But tell me the truth: would you really desire
To talk to the person you greatly admire?"

"Yes, Bruce, I don't doubt, and I have sad emotions
For your quick deceasing..."

"I'm pricked by my conscience.
And if your fate gives you a lot of such glory,
You'll feel all the grief, all the rue of my story:
Imagine your fan wants a good conversation
But you're just a corpse that has gone through cremation.
Remorse will not let you alone; veneration
May be even more than in your generation;
But you won't be happy; you don't see the fire
But Hell is a place where I am now mired."

"I've understood all! My praise doesn't bring you gladness!
You just want to get rid of this hellish sadness!
If only I could, I would really endeavour
To let you know that I've killed my views forever!"

"Don't tell me a lie. I'm aware of your nature:
'It's hard to persuade you' - this is your portraiture."

"Oh, yes, I'm so sorry, I've said something wrong..."

"But you have admitted it, not waiting long."

"I lied but it was not for purpose, believe me!"

"I see. You and me are both no longer children.
The teacher is here, you should know, me today,
Your parents at home are these ones, anyway."

"I guess that you wanna me keep silent, don't you?"

"You're right. Though my words may have probably hurt you,
But if you consider that I am a sage,
You should know: each pet bird has always its cage.
If I'm an example for you, then remember
What you read from January to December:
Though not being calm, I respected my elders;
What's more, I was faithful to my rules and tenets.
Just being yourself, you'll enhance your resemblance
With me. Let my words be a pleasant remembrance:
Each person is wonderful by their own nature
Though heaven's impossible for them to capture.
My dear, be polite and be merciful, really;
Your soul won't be poor - I believe it sincerely!
And let your strong enemy not be forgotten:
This enemy's vanity that makes you rotten.
I see that you would like to ask me a question."

"Yes, Bruce. What if I am not in pride's possession?
What if I just wanna be perfect, and glory
Remains in my heart and in my brain no longer?"

And now, dear reader, you are gonna notice
New highness of tones of the voice of your poetess!
I'm happy to speak in my passionate vein:
The eyes of the legend are shining again!

"I'm looking at China, at the USA,
At Russia from Heaven, from the sky again!
I thank you so much, oh my dearest friend!
I feel that my torments have come to the end!
You have cheered me up! Well, I wish you success!
Go on! Break your vices! Be bold and progress!
And glory, if needed, will meet you one day!
The main thing'll be happiness brought by your way!
Let your soul and body eternally fuse;
The union, be strong!"

"I can't see you, Bruce!"

"You will wake up soon. So, it's high time to part!"

"Farewell!"

Then I felt stronger beat of my heart.
I'm still in my bed, and the Sun is in rise.
I am breathing deeply, with half-opened eyes.
The nightdream was magic: all looked just like real!
I'd listen to the legend of Kung-Fu with thrill!