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Self Defense
by Kristina WoodhillSelf Defense
Think back.
Remember when youd come home
With your newest self defense moves
You, the big brother, 19, 6 feet tall
Me, the little sister, 16, 55
I was your giggling practice mat
You were the perp
I was the agent
You, stern faced
Come on! You need to know this stuff!
This was a good one.
Your right knife arm comes up
To pierce my torso
Cleverly blocked by my clenched fists,
Wrists criss-crossed together and held down
To check your blow
My right hand sneaks out,
Grabs your wrist, pulls your arm around
Behind your back
Then Im laughing too hard to remember
What to do next with my left hand.
OK, this was my favorite.
I know Im going to use this
On a really short burglar sometime.
You stand silently behind me
Hands closed with little fingers pointing up
Your hands come up on either side
Of the back of my head
Pointed fingers slide straight up
into the soft spots just under my ears
Those who say meditation is the only way
To levitation had never met you.
Think back.
I need you to tell me what they said to do
Now that youre gone
And I wake at night and my eyes fill
And Im on my side and I just want
To curl up and be fetal for the rest of my life.
Its Ok. Im fully awake now.
I remember.
You told me you loved me before you died.
12/17/2005 Author's Note: My brother died in November. I am grateful for words and paper.
Posted on 12/17/2005
Copyright © 2024 Kristina Woodhill
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 12/19/05 at 03:18 PM Ahhhh, Kristina, - I love the way you keep walking until the sun appears. And, "Those who say meditation is the only way
To levitation had never met you" ::: JiLL ::: |
| Posted by JD Clay on 12/23/05 at 04:07 AM Finding the right words at the right time is monumentous, but your finding these during a moment of truth goes beyond description. From the meaningful title to the heartspeak in the stiring last line, nothing out of place.
pe4ce... |
| Posted by Mara Meade on 12/26/05 at 03:32 PM To smile through the tears... this is a beautiful tribute, Kristina. |
| Posted by Ronald A Pavellas on 01/05/06 at 09:31 AM Whammo! Right lobe vanquished dominant left lobe with the help of this movement. |
| Posted by David Hill on 01/31/06 at 01:00 AM I like the concrete details and this real and original memory adds power to the feeling of loss. The reader gets to see a side of your brother, so the loss is understood.
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| Posted by Christel Crews on 05/30/06 at 06:22 PM i had a boyfriend once show me some self defense blocks but nothing ever so dangerous... this piece just flows from one stanza into the next, following your mind's meandering and then the sudden reminder at the end. it is a beautiful piece.. we are truly blessed to have pen and paper |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 06/27/06 at 12:08 PM Sounds like a good way to remember your brother, trying to teach you self defence, knowing he wouldn't always be around. Sorry for the loss, and thanks for gain as per poem. |
| Posted by Joan Serratelli on 03/13/09 at 02:53 PM BEAutiful tribute to your brother, I'm glad you wrote this loving piece, but sorry for your loss. You will keep him alive and close to your heart through this piece. |
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