Iaido Meditation
eyebrows growing out
droop past nose and chin
shakuhachi notes
swirling in the wind
bird song behind
water droplets falling
reflecting-pool ripples
while koi blow bubbles
single cut with my
quick Iaido blade
severs blossom
and stem
silk scarf pared in
two as it slides down
the razor edge of my
katana’s molten soul
intention and action
are one already flowing
in the instant of
conception.
–LE
CynOp 
6 responses to “Iaido Meditation”
The quickest sword in the east. I love this poem.
I once played around with my friend’s iaito. Broke his curtain rod by accident… even the blunt ones are dangerous.
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Yes, they are. Years of practice just to handle safety…; -)
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If I even as much as picked up that thing, I’d probably cut my arm off. 😆
To me, your poem invokes the feeling of a deadly dance…very good! 👏👏
I love the bright, primary paints used in your watercolor. Ah, that moon…😊
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Thank you, Kate; It pleases me that you get it. Yes, it is a ‘dance’, especially in the kata (practice form). The painting is a rendition of a photo my son, Sean, had taken during a film choreography class he attended in Tokyo when he first went there for his graduate work. The photo just showed an empty warehouse room, the ‘attackers’ and the ‘defender’, Sean. I made up. (invented) the landscape and background. The moon was just an impression that seared itself into my mind’s eye while I was painting. I’ve used a similar moon in other paintings I’ve done…; -)
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I think we both have an affinity for the moon, Liam. I’ve taken many photos of it. I don’t usually go get my mail until dark (it runs late here), and anytime Luna presents herself full or close to it, I take her picture with my phone. And I have some other paintings of her as well.
Did your son enjoy his time in Tokyo?
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I would say so… he’s still there; has been for almost ten years now. He was home over the holidays and has already returned to his life there.
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