Keith Polette
Martial Lessons
Introduction to the martial arts:
stand with all of your feet
on the floor
First year martial arts lesson:
it is unwise to let your face
attract a fist
Second year martial arts lesson:
bruises are good teachers
Third year martial arts lesson:
break the concrete, not your hand
Fourth year martial arts lesson:
there is nothing to break
no concrete, no hand
Fifth year martial arts lesson:
before contemplating any move,
study the moon
Bio
Keith Polette's poetry has appeared in The Limberlost Review, Orphic Lute, Samisdat, The Piedmont Literary Review, and Rendezvous. His haiku have been published in Modern Haiku, Ardea, Hedgerow, Chrysanthemum, Under the Basho, Failed Haiku, Dragonfly, and Daily Haiga. His book of haiku, The New World, is a Pond Frog Edition of Red Moon Press. He has also published four children's books and numerous books and articles in English education and Jungian studies. He has practiced tai chi and tae kwon do for over twenty five years. Currently, he lives in El Paso, Texas.