Once a Student, Always

Blistered hands and calloused feet

The smell of wood beginning to burn

Subliminal friction, tic-tac-toc!

With ev’ry shift and turn

 

Arms move crossed, and open sway,

Shifting turns with utmost speed

Strike the temple! Strike the knee

And all that’s in between

 

Hands that strike with liquid flow

Going faster and faster still

Until the mind need never think

What dance of death to move

 

But higher as the learner goes

Through blistered, aching hands and feet

‘Tis life, Master, I seek preserve

Real pow’r belongs to the able meek

072019