»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #7
»
Bassai-Shodan
| Open Poetry #7 |
|
Bassai-Shodan |
|
|
jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash 
|
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 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
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 1369Washington |
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 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
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 |
I was watching too, Jim! Great form! Whew! I'm worn out just watching you! Denise |
||
|
JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
I enjoyed reading this martial arts poem. James |
||
|
Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
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 1835Florida |
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. |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
