Adieu Aka Manto!

For the contest "Japanese Folklore", Please refer to author's note prior of reading.

He come across a traumatic tale,

Is it true or just a rumour?

But none a tale, can ever fail,

His immodest courage. The Aka Manto,

Too can be a subject of humour.

My School mate, with unfortunate fate,

To relieve himself, went in.

A question echoed as he closed the gate,

"Which toilet paper- red or blue?"

That brought spikes on his skin.

Eminent for his wit, a plan he knit, 

Replied vigorously to the vulpine voice,

"You lost your way a little-bit,

Left Japan and afflicted this land.

Now, don't leave till you rejoice."

He told, after hearing the school knolls,

"None in this amazing country,

Use your precious toilet rolls,

A mug of water is more than enough!"

On hearing this, eftsoons the voice flee.

Author's Note

Aka Manto (赤マント Red Cape) is a Japanese urban legend about a malicious spirit who kills people at public and school toilets, who will ask people if they want red paper or blue paper. In some versions, he will ask the individual if they want a red or blue cape. Often described as a beautiful man in life and hounded constantly by admirers, he supposedly wears a mask to hide his face.
The legend somewhat says like this:
If a person is sitting on the toilet (usually the last stall), a mysterious voice will ask them if they want red paper or blue paper. If they answer red paper, they will be sliced apart until their clothes are stained red. If they choose blue paper, they will be strangled until their face turns blue. Any attempt to outsmart Aka Manto by asking for a different color will result in them being dragged to the Netherworld. If you decline to receive any kind of paper, he will depart.

Reviews

[emipoemi]

I dare say, the theme is intriguing, but I found the narrative sort of confusing. The Author's Note clarified some questions, but these kinds of poems shouldn't be begging questions, but rather should set things up and then dive in. Readers who don't know anything about what's going on shouldn't be left confused for the entire poem. Other than that, apart from some musicality issues here and there, I quite enjoyed this. Well done!

[Raj Sahu]

Thank you very much for such a wonderful review! I appreciate it.

[emipoemi]

my pleasure.

[PoeticBlindness]

It's a humorous work and I liked the idea you used to describe it by first taking the support of horror and then adding the punch of sarcasm. I liked the narrative as well. You gave me knowledge about a new legendary phantom- Aka Manto. A good read. Thank you.

[Raj Sahu]

Thank you for your appreciation!

[Raj Sahu]

Thank you for your appreciation!

[peter Duggan]

Another good read from you Rag. You took the story and made it real, my friend. Once again I enjoyed your read....peter

[Raj Sahu]

Thanks once again Peter for your precious words but please spell my name 'Raj', which is indeed an honourable name.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Ah, wellll decline decline decline I pray! Well done, good read.

[Raj Sahu]

Thanks a lot!

[Stephanie M]

Cool Poem! I wrote a story about "Aka Manto" which I will share later.

[Raj Sahu]

Thank you so much!

[The Iron Horseman]

Sounds like a disinformation campaign against toilet paper to me! :D
A very interesting poem. Thank you for explaining the legend. It made it all more meaningful.
An amusing piece.

[Raj Sahu]

Thanks a lot!

[This Guy (Again)]

I love it. Especially the Japanese influence. Never knew there was an urban legend as such. Just learned something new too!

[Raj Sahu]

Thank you so much!

[wordman]

lol,i guess i would carry my own

[Raj Sahu]

Haha! Good sense of humour! Thank you for your review!

[wordman]

you`re welcome