At the tender age of four
It appeared
Ghostlike,
A shadow of infinite power.
At first I refused,
Dared not accept.
Soon it caught me like a net.
I tried it on.
My first judo class!
It was beautiful,
A white tooth made for wearing,
Beauty only I can see.
To wear it
Was to give in.
Its fine stitching
Was an art itself.
It was like a friend,
Always there,
Powerful,
Mysterious,
Loyal,
A friend.
Its collar symbolized combat -
Rough, white, thick
Collar made for combat.
It now lies tattered
Broken and unwanted.
Its collar is worn,
Punctured,
Stitching is gone.
The gi (uniform) misses the stench of battle,
The stench of perfecting character.
Still it lies
Strong,
Proud,
Drenched in the blood of my soul
Judo. . .

About the Author

Who: Nathan Goltz Age: 14
Residence: Upland, CARE,
Education: Eighth grader at Pioneer Junior High in Upland
Grade Point Average: 3.8
Martial arts school: Goltz Judo Club in Claremont, CA
Years of training: 10
Belt level: brown