Judo

Judo My façade it is ‘hard as nails’, I must survive that way. But when they got to know me well, it’s then, I heard some say. That really he’s a cuddly toy, but we cannot tell why, For martial arts, he’s made his sport, with that you never cry! It’s ‘Judo’, that I’ve made my life, I’ve loved along my way, A martial art! you’ve got it wrong, it is ‘The Gentle Way’. For though through contest we must win, our glory to be found. We’re most the time, just like in life, thrown crashing to the ground. You struggle there, or get back up, both ways you stand to win, Enjoying trying to compete, although it can be grim. A hold, a strangle, lock, the pain, just take it with a grin, But keep alert, avert the pain and seek the chance from him. To be thrown hard and love your ‘foe’, for what he taught you then, To stand back up and laugh and plead, “Please show me that again!” To know that when you lose a game, to someone in his prime, It’s just the lesson that you’ll need, to make you win next time. Yes, I love my Judo, at ‘Deva Judokwai’, And even though I’m getting old, I know that I must try, To pass on skills and attitude and keep the youngsters bold Accept defeat and sometimes pain, as their young lives enfold. With injuries and aching bones, I try to give my all, I used to bounce around the mat, but now I barely crawl. In age and wisdom now I see, just when you’re walking tall, The thing that Judo shows us best… is how to take a fall! Ivor G Davies