Way of Life

What you know about the running, the stretching The katas, the weapons The path, the journey The jewels, the learning The fear, the focus The aches, the pains The contact sparrin', the breaks, the sprains The trial and error, the ranks, and belts The spiritual growth, the science of breath The tests, the techniques The forms, the stances The flow, the rhythm, the internal answers The herbs, the healing, the quiet meditation The truths reveal through daily dedication The love for the art, the sweat on your shirt The mind, the body, and the spirit that work The feelings of failure, the hope to succeed The battles of questions like "Should I smoke weed?" The water, the thirst The cleansing, the blessings The flash of insights, the teachings, the lessons The grappling and locking, trapping and boxing The training and slacking The starting and stopping And stayin' committed, when your homies ain't with it The hours or practice after the class is finished The cause of your ignorance, flaws in your discipline Broken laws of nutrition, and poor conditionin' The vitamins and supplements Salves and ointments The tinctures, pulled joints and doctor appointments The dues, the pads, the wraps, the gloves The mouthpiece you left home, the taste of your own blood The hunger, the blocks The punches, the squats The crunches, the example you set for the youngsters The will, the skills, the kill or to heal The separation between what's fake and what's real The laws of physics The class-comradery The vows of humility, the bow, the courtesy (Sample) Self defense doesn't mean you run and attack someone But you do have the right to defend yourself by any means necessary If you in that position to defend yourself (Ha!)