Karate at the Moonshot, Thursday nights
I was crap at games - and Maeve
My friend was not much better . God knows why
In our twenties, bored with London,
We took a notion to Karate
Went to the Moonshot - and signed up
As white belts and were
In deep water suddenly
“You are welcome” - we were told - “but understand
We’re Moonshot. And as such
We’re better than the rest - we have to be.
We do not take our gradings - not until we know
We can’t be failed. One other thing
In Dojo we speak Japanese.”
As spoken in the Caribbean with a
list of phrases which did not include
Words for “ I can’t ” or “please
I have to leave the room or I will die ”
Then it got worse - then better. We survived
But only just. Our Sensei, Wesley, was phenomenal.
Short and quiet in the dufflecoat he wore
Unlikely star
Of Shotokan. He taught us that the trick of it
Was not to block a blow with bone on bone but drop
Your weight and curve around and not be there
- watch sure-aimed blows sail past you - hitting air
I have been recently quite swamped by stress
Not caused by Lockdown, Health. but things
I cannot put in words - explain. All I can say
Is that I had forgotten everything
That Wesley taught us at the Moonshot
Thursday nights
To keep you weight low -
Never lose your balance.- smile
AG 16/06/2020
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