Akido

I studied Akido
and learned to stand invisible
so danger could pass me by
and only interact if a threat was imminent,
and even then, the goal was to
stop another from hurting me,
and if possible, keep him from hurting himself.

It was a dance between two energies
where an aggressive action by one
could be used to stop the aggressor.
The dance, like a ballet, was beautiful
and the skills learned were useful
in every part of my life.

I’ve had few occasions to take a battle stance
but the subtler movements,
learning to take energy and transforms it,
I applied in my workplace and my home.

Through Akido I learned
a true warrior does not create war,
but rather, fights for peace with love.