Some of you will be aware of my work with disabled athletes and Martial Artists. I'd like to share one of my favourite poems, by Lois Keith, a wheelchair bound writer who has this amazing take on the power of language. If this isn't the "JU" gentleness in Martial Spirit, I don't know what is! Tomorrow I am going to rewrite the English Language. I will discard all those striving ambulist metaphors Of power and success And construct new ways to describe my strength. My new, different strength. Then I won't have to feel dependant Because I can't stand on my own two feet. And I'll refuse to feel a failure When I don't stay one step ahead. I won't feel inadequate if I can't Stand up for myself Or illogical when I don't Take it one step at a time. I will make them understand that it is a very male way To describe the world. All this walking tall And making great strides. Yes, tomorrow I am going to rewrite the English Language Creating the world in my own image. Mine will be a gentler, more womanly way To describe my own progress. I will wheel, cover and encircle. Somehow I will learn to say it all. Lois Keith ST
