FALL/WINTER 2012



Joseph Bruchac

THE MARTIAL ARTIST AT SEVENTY

He finally knows
enough to know
that there is no kata,
no form of Tiger,
Willow of Mountain,
no Shirt of Iron
or Palm of Stone
that can do more
than slightly slow
the flow of Time,
that pitiless wind
that sands away
the strength of sinew,
of muscle and bone.
Yet as he stretches,
allows his breath
to leave his lips
and travel
ten thousand li
he smiles, amused
at his own stubborn belief
in this moment's
immortality.



IN ADDITION TO AUTHORING A NUMBER OF books of poetry, Joseph Bruchac has been a martial arts student andteacher for four decades and holds the rank of Master in Indonesian Pentjak-silat.

 


 

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