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Open Poetry #7
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jbouder
Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534
Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash

0 posted 2000-04-29 11:03 PM


Callused smooth soles slide across the hardwood floor as
I focus on breathing, balance; muscle memory’s movements  
replay the ageless assault against a fortified foe; stance shifts
swift fists strike-block-strike-block-strike; smooth efficiency of
movement, momentum, no wasted weight in the Chung Do;
stance shifts, knifed-hands block-block-block-balanced-pivot
kick-KYAI-stick soft touch turn; perceived speed true speed

Pause.

Breathing,

Balance,

Soles slowly slide together, touch, hands held high; stance shifts
pull-punch-pivot-stomp/block-strike-kick-strike-pivot-slap-stomp--wobble--
balance, breathing staggers.

I finish the form but lose the moment; sweat stings my eyes
so I add it to my already-wet dobak sleeve.   I begin again.

Callused smooth soles slide across the hardwood floor and
I focus on breathing, balance.


***

Bassai-Shodan is a traditional Japanese karate kata (form) adopted as one of the first degree blackbelt forms in the traditional Tae Kwon Do style of Chung Do Kwan (Blue Way School -- rough English translation).  


< !signature-->

 Jim

"If I rest, I rust."  - Martin Luther




[This message has been edited by jbouder (edited 04-29-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Jim Bouder - All Rights Reserved
Skyfyre
Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap
1 posted 2000-04-29 11:39 PM


I am, frankly, at a loss for words.

The only thing that comes to mind is:

It was beautiful -- did you feel me watching?

--Kess


 Full fathom five thy father lies,
Of his bones are coral made,
Those are pearls that were his eyes;
Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange...


--William Shakespeare, from The Tempest


netswan
Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369
Washington
2 posted 2000-04-29 11:59 PM


jbouder ------this is wonderful!
Makes me feel the sweat and the determination
to be an expert at what you do.

Well worded ----
darn it, that is it.  putting my ankle
weights back on ------

netswan

jbouder
Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534
Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash
3 posted 2000-04-30 09:41 PM


Kess:

I've never seen the voyeuristic side of you ... now that I know you are watching I'll make sure I try harder to avoid that embarrassing wobble.    Thanks for the reply.

netswan:

Far from being an expert but I suppose determination (or massochism) describes the cycle pretty well.  Thanks for the reply.

Jim

P.S.  This post was, in no way, intended to evoke guilt out of the sedentary among us ... besides, if we never sat down, how would we be able to post our poetry?  

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

4 posted 2000-05-01 11:33 AM


I was watching too, Jim! Great form! Whew! I'm worn out just watching you!

Denise

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
5 posted 2000-05-01 04:23 PM


I enjoyed reading this martial arts poem.  James
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
6 posted 2000-05-01 05:10 PM


Skyfyre was watching and I was in there with you, at least I thought I was. Actually this is a very good descrition of me just trying to walk across a wet kitchen floor, or even a dry kitchen floor!
Your poetry tells us about one more aspect of your life, and it is very interesting.
And the poem is wonderful.
Liz

Nicole
Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835
Florida
7 posted 2000-05-01 05:39 PM


I am quite taken by this poem, Jim.  I have a younger brother that has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and I remember going to a few of his 'practices' to watch.  The skill and grace, in the strength and speed those boys and men possessed amazed me, and I feel that you've captured that wonderfully here.  I enjoyed that you included a 'wobble', it made the poem wonderfully realistic.

There are a couple lines that I'd like to point out, where the description just grabbed me:

movement, momentum, no wasted weight in the Chung Do;
(no wasted weight, indeed...that was great)

I finish the form but lose the moment; sweat stings my eyes
so I add it to my already-wet dobak sleeve.   I begin again.
(I could see this, vividly...move over Kess, Denise, Liz)  

I've never actualy spoken up in CA, but I stop in quite often...always look forward to an interesting read from you.

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