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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.
Walking the path
I approach the gate
Passing the gate proved easy
So, gaining confidence, I continued
With more faith and more energy
Till I approached another gate
With a little more struggle
I passed this gate too
Ahead, I see yet another gate
Ah, each gate is not the gate
But a gate, one apparently, of many
But all gates are on the same path
Each gate is not a barrier to overcome
But a threshold to leap through
Offering and gaining new insights
New meanings, with each passage
Now, when I approach a new gate
I pause and thank it for the lesson
Before passing on through
I wrap myself in my spirit threads
My white garment slowly turning red
Death approaches without quarrel
Wrapping itself tighter and tighter
Till all I can say is Thank you
When I got to the end of the universe
I found god waiting for me
Wearing my very own face
No matter how far I travel
Or where I travel to
I find my god/me waiting
The gi was heavy with sweat and scent
The coarse fabric rough against my skin Nage drew me close, very close Irimi Nage can be can be so personal
I mentally commanded my body to relax
To relax and feel the movement
When he threw me I felt
The smooth power and the release
My ukemi was not so smooth
One of many things I need to work on
10-31-2018 07:20 PM 
