We are proud to publish a unique poem about Kyokushin Budōkai Goshin Dō (KBGD), written by the author Christopher D. Lennon. His book of poems, Forgotten Dreams the Sorrows of War is a compilation of poems that deal with the psychological effects of battle and war on people both during and post-combat experience. The purpose of these poems is to articulate and capture the fear, sadness, and change that occurs in people who undergo war and combat. The book received critical acclaim. Mr Lennon is a student of Kyokushin Budōkai Goshin Dō and his poem beautifully encapsulates the ethos of the system.
The poem is called The Secret Art because Hanshi Howes rarely advertises his system. Mr Lennon would later inform Nicholas Cooke about the system on a flight to London. They were seated next to each other for the journey. Nicholas Cooke would later go on to be the first KBGD black belt.
THE SECRET ART
You can see me
But you do not notice me
I am ordinary
I am, perhaps mundane
To your eyes
This is the way of the Secret Art
I have respect for others
I live by honour
Truth is the way
To illuminate
The soul
In the way of the Secret Art
The hand of friendship
Is always extended
But do not challenge me
For I am Steel
I am Iron
Tempered and forged
By battle
And by the Secret Art
The hard and the soft
Darkness and light
Goodness and evil
Angels and devils
Time and temperance
All know the Secret Art
Oneness and duality
The sides of a coin
The sound of the wind
The power of the sea
The fear of the fire
All are understood
By the Secret Art
Many things do I know
Many things must I discover
On my endless journey
Significance and insignificance
The true nature of the world
I look to the skies
I look to the stars
I will drink from the font of knowledge
I will use it wisely
This Secret Art
A gift for Hanshi Marc Howes and the KBGD – Christopher D. Lennon – 20/01/14
Christopher Lennon was born in Cardiff City, Wales. He emigrated to Cape Town, South Africa with his family where he grew up. Upon completion of high school, he then underwent two years of national service in the South African Army. It was in the latter part of his service that he became involved in the Angolan War. Coming from a military family, the author often reflected on the effects that war and combat had on military personnel – both from a personal perspective, and the experiences told to him by friends and acquaintances. These represented a distinct, common dichotomy – during combat and the difficulty of coping once back in civilian life. Today he lives in Scotland with his wife and children and runs Stone Falcon a management/legal consultancy that is primarily involved within the Oil and Gas Industry. He is a qualified International Commercial Arbitrator and holds both an MBA and a LLB from the University of Aberdeen. He travels and works internationally.
IBK UK 