Kata of Forgiveness

Ki haku
Truth unfolding opening
Grief constricting focusing
Pain emerging releasing

Shapes endless
Countless
One
Face:

Betrayal
Attack
Abandonment
Blocks
Vertigo

Ren ma
Grounding trust: worth
Claiming space: joy
Mastering anger: now

Rhythms unite
Offense
Defense
Practice:

Insight
Connection
Boundaries
Peace

Shuchu Ryoku
Surging peace work
Striking opponents true
Returning center free

No mind
Relaxes
Responds
Sei:

Compassion
Integrity
Reconciliation
Letting Go

Kata
Truth advancing
Breath guiding
Form containing
Power

Forgiving
Ki haku
Ren ma
Shuchu Ryoku
Osu!

“Forgiveness is taking into full account the extent of the harm done, and choosing to will the well-being of all the victims and all the violators.” --Marjorie Suchocki

I wrote this poem for the community of Thousand Waves Martial Arts and Self-Defense for their upcoming newsletter. It was inspired by the forgiveness film and workshop on forgiveness I led there in January.