wednesday march ten two thousand four
(shodan poem)

on the day i become a white belt again
i see hyacinths breaking ground
think i've lost the second of two hats in as many days
(consider it a symbol of losing my head)
drum my heart beat for courage
annoint myself with oils of sweetgrass
cedar and sage
sit on a seiza bench
at the feet of my teachers
drink the mana flowing from their lips
the fibers of their belts
tattered
black
weaving us new