Thank you Sensei

A white belt she started four years ago.

The first ever time in a Karate Dojo.

You gave her a passion that formed deep within.

For tradition and culture and discipline.

You passed on your knowledge, and your know how.

To teach her Karate, look where she is now.

The way you have taught her, you’ve helped her achieve.

A goal in her life, that she can’t believe.

So with heartfelt gratitude and without no more fuss.

Thank you Sensei!

Suba Dachi – Rei – Oss !

Black Belt Day

Sensei thought you worthy, to move on from brown.

You had to go through it, you couldn’t let him down.

Now into the grading, your head held up high.

You conquered those Katas, Storm a fortress, View the sky.

The Bunkai was tough you had to supply.

Applications to Kata from Kanku Dai.

Years and years of solid training, helped you pull through.

You explained to your opponent, what she had to do.

And when you had told her, you took lead.

And showed to your Sensei, you could go full speed.

The Kumite Beckoned, you don’t like to combat.

But you had to get through it, for Sensei Popat.

You faced your opponent and when Sensei said ‘Start’.

You fought like a warrior, you fought with your heart.

 And now the oral, you had to understand.

The basic language that used in empty hand.

This could be difficult, it could be a task.

What would they say? What would they ask?

But again from revision from several weeks prior.

Your head in your book, would help you aspire.

The end has arrived and you’re finished your test.

You can’t do no more, you’ve given your best.

You walk out the Dojo, body racked with pain.

From the effort you’ve given, but was it in vain?

Your Sensei now calls you, you find out at last.

You wasn’t a failure, you have been passed.

Your legs turn to jelly, your stomach butterflies.

Your hands on your face, tears of joy in your eyes.

                                   Sensei gives you a smile, and tells you out loud.

You’ve not let him down, that you’ve made him proud.

The years of the teaching, to you he has dealt.

You fully deserve your first Dan – Black Belt.

Through Heart ache and joy, through laughter and tears.

The hard work you’ve given to Karate for years.

The pain you have suffered, your feet giving strife.

Your egged on by passion, for your way of life.

But humble you’ll stay cause the Shodan you’ve earned.

Is the tip of the iceberg, there’s more to be learned.

So on with the lessons and on with the training.

You’ll never give in whilst knowledge your gaining.

And for all those that follow, in the steps that you took.

I know deep from your heart, you will wish them good luck.

And in years to come, like you they can say

The greatest day of my life, came on Black Belt Day!

By Gordon Kitchen.