Poem: Inner Chi
By Barbara (Bobbie) Purvis

Snake and Crane logo for Columbia Tai Chi Center

I wanted to read some poetry that was centered on Tai Chi in some way (or martial arts in general) – as sort of an inspiration for Tai Chi practice. With the Internet, I thought it would be easy to find – but no, not at all. So, I decided to try writing some myself. This is only a rough draft and it could possibly be the beginning of a poem. It’s not perfect, but I think it has potential. Perhaps it is something that can be revisited if it is ever completed. Feel free to create and submit additional verses in the comment section below.
Here is the original unfinished poem submitted by Barbara (Bobbie) Purvis:
Inner Chi
A moving form
of mental release,
direction and angles flow from within
out to the corners of my being
where time and practice
softens them.
Shift and turn
the tide of emotion,
unravel silent webs of thought
hard fist under sweeping palm,
protects the center
and the heart.