The Art in Martial Arts

Tom Dylan


Notice of absence from Tom Dylan
Sorry if there is a delay in replying or if I'm away for short periods. Sometimes life gets in the way. As John Lennon says, life is what happens while you're busy making other plans.

For me Martial Arts, Karate in particular,

has always fascinated me.

The techniques seemed almost magical,

mythical, mysterious.

When I was running through the forms,

I was no longer in inner-city Salford,

but in another world,

another realm somehow,

far off in the Orient.

When a friend sneered and asked

what was the point?

Adding that Karate was useless,

and would never save my life,

my mind went back to the hours

spent practising and perfecting

technique and Kata,

these moves and routines that

dated back hundreds of years,

to the island of Okinawa,

of the many hours of enjoyment

I’d had training in the Dojo,

How do you know it hasn’t already?

I asked.

When he said he didn’t understand the answer,

I said he didn’t understand the question.

 

  • Author: Tom Dylan (Offline Offline)
  • Published: September 20th, 2024 04:33
  • Comment from author about the poem: A poem about my fascination with Martial Arts.
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 54
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Comments +

Comments7

  • Lorenz

    Traditionnal martial arts are overtaken by MMA.

    • Tom Dylan

      I agree but I prefer the traditional martial arts. The nearest I get on board with MMA is Muay Thai, that has the ceremony etc. Thanks

    • Doggerel Dave

      Mate, please give Aikido a look.
      https://mypoeticside.com/show-poem-149033
      And do take my comment seriously if you want, Tom. Please note, all my advice if from my armchair....

      • Tom Dylan

        Thanks a lot for the tip, Dave. I'll check out Aikido. And your poem is fascinating! Thanks for pointing me in that direction. Cheers,

      • sorenbarrett

        Lovely! Nicely set up this ending is the answer and question to several activities including poetry for me

        • Tom Dylan

          Thanks for your comments, Soren. Yes, that's exactly it. I to do these things because I enjoy them, because of the interest, the fascination. And as you say, that applies to poetry too. Cheers, Tom.

        • orchidee

          Ahh yes, it would help - understanding the question before understanding the answer.
          Bit like - it would help if you plugged the telly in first, then you will get a picture. lol.
          Is Aikido a dog?! heehee.

          • Tom Dylan

            Haha, nice one Orchi! Yeah, those Aikido puppies are really cute! 🙂

          • Tony36

            Great write Tom

            • Tom Dylan

              Thanks, Tony. Appreciated.

              • Tony36

                You're welcome Tom

              • Neville

                That punchline or zuki line pronounced ski is a killer Tom ..
                I too have been a lifetime student or kenshi of various martial arts ..
                I taught Shorinji Kempo for many years in Northampton & achieved the title Jun Kenshi & 3rd dan ..
                I also hold 1st dan in shotokan .. it can be addictive but I now blame the problems I have with my joints on years of kicking & punching etc .. Neville

                • Tom Dylan

                  Neville, I'm very impressed. I've studied TaeKwonDo and Tang Soo Do but not the Dan levels. I've also dabbled in Shotokan, I do have a soft spot for Karate. Thanks for your comments, yours, a very impressed Tom. 🙂 Oss!

                  • Neville


                    Ha .. my son was British champ TKD three years on the trot many years ago long before the politics got too much .. I had always wanted to study Tang Soo Do & Hapkido but there were never any dojos around .. I started off with judo but found although effective, somewhat restrictive .. I wanted something that would be effective if attacked in a crowded bar, an open field or a telephone box .. I found the style that suited me most was Shorinji Kempo ..

                  • Goldfinch60

                    Getting to understand these cultures is intriguing Tom but some people do not want to understand.

                    Andy



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