Working out

My body creaks and groans,
muscles hurt; can’t lift my arms
above my head. Tired.
Although, no pain, no gain.
I need to see it drop,
the improvements to show,
to know it is working,
otherwise I’ll give up.

© C Ashley-Roberts, Feb 2012

My plan

I’m planning a plan,
one I know I can
achieve.

My plan will be planned
to the nth degree;
you’ll see.

Based on strategy
I’ll aim to expand
my plan.

A marketing plan’s
needed to succeed
to be:

The greatest in the land
I’ll take command:
coach Charlie.

© C Ashley-Roberts, Jan 2012

Nidan

I’m a jujitsu warrior
and you can call me sensei.
Two years of training set me up,
wielding weapons, beating their kicks:
I blocked and punched. No fear, no doubts.
I fought to the death and won.

© C Ashley-Roberts, Dec 2011

Assessment Day

I rolled with the hits and took the punches,
getting a few bruises along the way
but I didn’t give up when I faltered
and faced my fears, finding them unfounded.

© C Ashley-Roberts, Nov 2011

The night before

All I have to do is my best,
relax, to let my mind go blank,
my muscles will take care of the rest;
I’ll have my memory to thank.
Yet I can’t remember a thing
and the panic’s building inside.
I’m scared something’ll end in a sling
and on top of that my brain fried.
The end is almost in my sight,
the certificate in my grasp
I just have to get through tonight
then I’ll have to kick some ass!

© C Ashley-Roberts, Nov 2011

Badge of honour

My new badge of honour
achieved through hours of hard work.
Compared to a camel, but,
I think it’s like a tortoise;
a sign that slow and steady
will win the race ahead.

© C Ashley-Roberts, Nov 2011

Learning to defend

Worried faces and shy demeanour
gives way to smiles and confidence
as they watch then practice together
learning the art of self defence.

© C Ashley-Roberts, Oct 2011

Self Belief

We have been preparing for the fight,
there is still some way to go
we need to keep up fighting stance
to ensure we miss their blow.

Surrounded by the others
we’ll stay calm and fix the mark,
take the biggest threat down first
then circle like a shark.

We won’t look down, we’ll stare them out,
we know what we need to do
and when that time arises
we will follow through.

We’ll pull our strength from within,
and show it to them all,
confident and courageous
we will not falter, we will not fall.

Believing in yourself is half the battle,
get there and you have won,
visualise your endpoint
then go and get it done.

© C Ashley-Roberts, August 2011

No pain, no gain

Today I have muscles
I never knew I had
with legs as stiff as wood
I need a huge hot pad.
Still, my mind was taken
away from muscle ache
when I stubbed my big toe –
now that was a mistake!
We had fun at the beach,
with our big family
catching crabs and jumping
the waves in the sea.
At home we listened to
folk music on the TV
and sat around not doing
much and just being lazy.
Now it is time for bed;
if I can just make it
up the stairs! Then I’ll sleep
and hopefully be fit!

© C Ashley-Roberts, August 2011

In the black

Hurrah! I’m in the black
(well at least until tomorrow)
finally jitsu has a home
and I’ll have no more sorrow.

The bills are settled on the night
not a month in advance
and all the profits can be saved
for a dinner and dance!

I’ll wait to see if more students come
but if the don’t I’m happy;
the ones I have are perfect
albeit a little gangly!

© C Ashley-Roberts, August 2011