Poems by Mark Yukich
Ode to the Black Belts When I started this journey it was just to get fit I didn’t know when or if I would quit Then somewhere that changed and I wanted much more So I looked to the Black Belts to see how I could score First there’s Yonge and there’s Sun, offsprings of the Master Their genetics too great, I could never be faster Their techniques and their grace will make your head whirl What I really should try is to kick like a girl Then I met Ed, who greets you with a smile My first sparring I learned first hand of his style Mild mannered this gentlemen certainly was not When his roundhouse stopped shy of a crushing head shot He could have ended my training but yet all the while He just held his foot there and gave me a smile Danny Sa when I met I did not know how to take His eyes would go through you, don’t dare make a mistake But what he is saying is you cannot go wrong Hard work and attention will make you grow strong Jordan the 3rd Dan an imposing quiet fellow I first met when my belt was still coloured yellow Encouraging instruction is what you will get Just one reason he earns your instant respect All those years with the Master put him right at the top It’s easy to see why he is one powerful cop Daniel Yamasaki who is just new to the school He shows Taekwondo offers many common rules Be strong and help others and you just might see That you will be followed by your family And then there is Shaun with whom I’ve not worked But listening to others it made my ears perk Of all characteristics, technique may be his best I’ll definitely consider him with the rest So what did I get out of all that I saw My belt may be green but I’m really quite raw This journey you see is really quite long At the end to which Black Belt do I strive to belong Well a trait from each one I’ll endeavour to take Cause with that combination cannot be a mistake You see at the end how I want to live Is to be able to have something to give ‘Maam Technically perfect, she moves with precision So skilful and graceful she helps give you vision She wants to improve you and help you succeed She is always there to give what you need She watches you falter, though you may not see You sometimes may wonder, when will she help me She’s careful and thoughtful, determined and bright She wants to make sure you’ve experienced the fight This fine art is difficult she knows this first hand All of the details so hard to understand But just when they’re beyond our own expectation The forms all make sense when she imparts explanation There’s more to this woman than you’d ever expect There’s so many reasons she earns you respect She’ll teach you and guide you, all with a smile She’ll even help injuries go away for a while How do we sum up all that we feel So many qualities all of them real The best way to answer in our collective mind Our Mam is a Master of a very special kind
