I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

10 October 2012

Resuming Tai Chi Lessons After a Long Gap


In the Tai Chi class
we move together

breathing, turning the waist,
sinking and rising.

'Switch off your hands,'
the instructor says.

'Push out 
from your back foot.'

The movements
have beautiful names.

Cloud Hands ...
White Crane Spreads Its Wings ...

It's been two years
but my body remembers.

There is a rightness, like
meeting an old friend.
Submitted for Poetry Pantry #119 at Poets United.
By -

13 comments:

  1. Frank Watson11 October 2012 at 00:14

    I'm a fan of tai chi also, but don't get to do it as often as I would like. Whenever I do, it feels wonderful. Your title is somehow like a Chinese poem's title too ;-)

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade12 October 2012 at 07:04

      Thank you Frank. I love what you said about the title. :)

      Delete
  2. Sherry Blue Sky12 October 2012 at 06:05

    Oh I so envy you, Rosemary. I took tai chi too, years ago and always meant to return to it. But I waited too long. I have no short term memory now and when I tried, I got boggled and finally gave up so as not to slow down the class. Argh. It is so beautiful when people do the form together, a moving meditation. Maybe I'll plug in a dvd and try it at home, without embarrassment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade12 October 2012 at 07:06

      I have DVDs which enable me to practise. But when I was caring for Andrew there was just no time for such extras.

      Delete
  3. Eileen T O'Neill .....16 October 2012 at 07:12

    Rosemary,

    The feelgood factor, of just trying and taking part...The first steps are the most difficult, but afterwards the gains are so good.

    Eileen

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  4. J Cosmo Newbery16 October 2012 at 07:39

    That has the lightness and grace of Tai Chi; nicely done.

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  5. Daydreamertoo16 October 2012 at 08:26

    When it feels good, it is good... Made me smile. Glad you're enjoying getting back into it again.

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  6. Mary16 October 2012 at 10:14

    So glad you are back into Tai Chi again, Rosemary. I used to do this, but hven't in a while.

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  7. Jennifer Wagner16 October 2012 at 11:32

    Very nice, I like this write...and I hope you continue to enjoy.

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  8. Scarlet16 October 2012 at 12:53

    I would also love to try this ~ Glad that it feels good again, like an old friend ~ Happy day to you ~

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  9. Rosemary Nissen-Wade16 October 2012 at 18:51

    Thanks all, for taking an interest. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous16 October 2012 at 20:57

    "The movements
    have beautiful names.

    We move in unison"

    Great assonance in the above lines. Also, likening muscle memory to an old friend was very clever.

    ReplyDelete

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