Copyright 2023 James C Horner
I gather the Chi
like waves from the sea.
Parting wild horse’s mane
calms the waves of my brain.
White crane spreads its fluffed wings
as I yield to life’s zings.
Brush knee and twist, brush knee and twist,
brush knee and twist, strike with my wrist.
On one leg I play the lute;
balance is my stronger suit.
Step back and repulse four monkeys;
palms in the faces of Trump’s flunkies.
I grasp the sparrow’s tail.
Ward off, roll back, press, push, and I’ll not fail!
The sparrow can’t fly as I grasp her tail;
my worthy opponent begins to flail.
Everything moves with single whip;
I look at my hand, turn my hip.
Wave hands like clouds
far from the crowds.
Wave hands like clouds
flee thunderclouds.
Wave hands like clouds
embrace rainclouds.
Momentum from my single whip
fills my moves with plenty of zip.
Pull back his palm, high pat the horse;
my fingers poke eyes, he feels my force.
Kick with the right heel.
I stagger and wheel
as I strike his ears with my fists,
turning in my vengeful wrists.
Turn and kick with my left heel
I wobble and feel
a snake creeping down—
keep calm, don’t frown!
Golden cockerel stands on left leg
At last, I can relax and move up a peg.
Another snake creeps down.
If I scream, I’ll look like a clown!
Golden cockerel stands on right leg
Trembling, I go down a peg.
Fair lady weaves the shuttle.
I block and shove in the scuffle.
Who is this fair lady weaving the shuttle?
It’s Tina! Ah, she’s so subtle!
Needle at the bottom of the sea;
Night demons, not for me.
My hand in a block, I fan through the back;
my worthy opponent receives a smack.
Deflect, parry, and punch.
What did he expect… brunch?
I withdraw for apparent close–
This ditty dissolves into prose.
Reach right, make an X with my hands.
I sink my feet into the sands.
Closing form to settle the chi,
I gather all in, you and me.
Do you have more martial arts poetry? I am interested in martial arts (Xinyi Liu He Quan) and poetry. Loved the reference to Trump’s flunkies.
Search on this blog:
Eighteen Ways I Live with Myself
Five Animal Frolics
Breathe In Breathe Out
How Tai Chi Feels To Me
What Tai Chi Means To Me