“When you bow deeply to the Universe, It bows back.” — O’Sensei, Morehei Ueshiba
bow in
the practice mat invites
the aikidoka to be
a humble student
to enter
empty
as a soft glow signals the birth
of a new day
and way
as shadows merge
with the void
of night
to respectfully
bow in
inviting a powerful, peaceful, playful wind
to turn, bend and shape
what enters
so breath
and movement
merge
on the mat — and beyond
Jo Anna Shaw
December 2017
www.joannashaw.net