each movement, a release
of energy–
designed to hamper or harm
our opponent

never thinking of them as
enemy, only 
obstacle

learning the kata, 
much like dance choreography,
begins with memorizing each step–
repeating, until it becomes
second nature

until the ballet becomes battle
and the battle a ballet

as you study-practice-fail,
you begin to understand
the foundation of all martial art,
of all art–of life itself–is
breath

drawing it into you,
converting the gases
to energy for action,
breathing out what is
not needed

but more than that–
for you see, even galaxies
have a pattern–
the universe, now expanding–
breathing out–preparing
for the next Great Inhale

the ultimate kata, the one
True Obstacle