AikiWeb: The Source for Aikido Information AikiWeb's principal purpose is to serve the Internet community as a repository and dissemination point for aikido information.
Hello and thank you for visiting AikiWeb, the
world's most active online Aikido community! This site is home to
over 22,000 aikido practitioners from around the world and covers a
wide range of aikido topics including techniques, philosophy, history,
humor, beginner issues, the marketplace, and more.
If you wish to join in the discussions or use the other advanced
features available, you will need to register first. Registration is
absolutely free and takes only a few minutes to complete so sign up today!
This poem and others are available in my books, Nothing Works: Meditations on Aikido, Buddhism, the Tao, Zen, and other inconsequential things....and, Nothing Special, and Nothing Matters..., available thru Amazon.com, in print and Kindle editions and Barnes & Noble websites.....Also available as an e-book via Smashwords.com. Try this link: www.nothing-works.com for the full array of options.
As a black belt
I should know things
But, something is missing
As part of a three-some
I stand to the side
Waiting my turn
Watching other aikidoka
On the mat
I watch the ebb and flow
The atemi, the ukemi
The grace, the lack, thereof
I see kyu ranks struggling
Using brute force, and
Too much muscle
Too many muscles
To perform techniques
And, scratch their heads
As some black belts
Moving with speed and precision
Utilize trained strength instead
And do the techniques effortlessly
Still, something seems off
And I don't know what
When my turn comes
I jump right in, but still thinking
As a black belt
I should know things
But, something is missing