When they come to you,
They are but seeds,
Seeking redemption
In Tao play.
Taking their positions,
Centering in Wu Chi,
Nurtured by white cranes’
Wings and sparrows tails
Of which they knew
Little before they found Chi,
Embraced in a ball,
Encompassed by Tao.
They take to quarrels
With monkeys and prevail,
Warding off their fears
And sending them flying.
Seeds take sprout unfolding
In the light of the horizon
Through the temple gates
Out of the shadows of their lives.
Listening, they see
They are vessels receiving
And giving sustenance
From the source of life.
They sprout new growth
In swords and fans
And are lifted out of
Their birth place to new ground.
They find the balance
In all Forms, which,
When done to perfection,
Will make them immortal.
This poem was written to commemorate Kenny Greene’s 60th birthday. He has taught Tai Chi Chuan here in Columbia, Missouri for years for free. Many of us, and the classes are growing, have learned a great deal from Kenny not just about Tai Chi Chuan but also about community. He has received several awards for his service to our community. If you try to discuss politics with hum, he says, Grow your garden. He’s growing his garden and not getting caught up in negativity. He leads by example. He is also forever giving and unselfish. Someone in class today felt so behind by missing two Chen Tai Chi Chuan classes taught by Arthur Du, and Kenny told him to come by his shop. He would catch him up. We indeed owe a great deal to Kenny Greene! Here I am reading my poem at his party. Kenny is in the background.
© 2017 Barbara Harris Leonhard @extraordinarysunshineweaver.blog
Image: http://www.marcusdargan.com/soul-of-the-world/
Beautiful dedication! My respects to the soulful gardener.
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Thank you, Savvy!
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Loving it and enjoyed reading this again :))
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