throw open the gate
mindless herds will charge headlong
into the stockyard
prolong each journey
show the Emperor the sights
drop his palanquin
the guitarist’s hand
bounds chord to chord on the dot
no beat is missed
the slug ricochets
yet always finds its mark
burrowing deeply
waves washing ashore
within a rocky inlet
turn about strongly
gulls flap into flight
slowly lifting skyward in
an unrushed climb
sparks pop from the fire
with impeccable timing
uncapturable
topple the gatepost
with a splintering impact
but start with a sting
the pinky finger
of a raging wild-eyed brute
snaps like a pea-pod
once the snake constricts
all is hopelessly lost
sting first and sting deep
bears don’t crush stout trees
stout trees sometimes crush a bear
falling in tree’s time
the bull’s hoof clomps down
a statement made decisive
not to be wrangled
Tags: martial arts, kobudo, poetry, poem, haiku, Gyokko-ryū, Jōryaku, budō, kata
By B Gourley in martial arts, Poetry, poem on March 12, 2013.
