Strumming the Lute, Stepping Backward

Precompose Payment #17: May 6, 2024

Dear Sara, my sweet dead Sister,

I am following up on my New Year’s Resolution “to teach Tai Chi” by inviting our local readers to “Follow Along Tai Chi in the Park” — that is, Kla Ha Ya Park on the Snohomish Riverfront Trail at 8 a.m. every Saturday morning through the summer.

We will do two sets of 24 Forms, one to the left and a second to the right. Both sets take around 10 minutes to complete. We can do it twice, but feel free to come and go as you wish. It’s not a class; it’s a practice, and it's Free.

Wish me luck, Sis. I close with a poem of a very exciting morning by the river.

They | Their | Her

It started so still, mirror-smooth water, 
only the Robin’s song disturbing the peace.

Cloud Hands Meditation countdown
begins the 24 Forms of Tai Chi Chuan; 
turning into the second set of 24 Forms (to the right) 
is when I catch a glimpse of the seal over my shoulder,
then the rolling waves of royalty in the still water 
radiating from the point of their disappearance.

They appeared again, urgently swimming in a circle,
I froze in the Form “Strumming the Lute” 
to watch her jump with a fish in her mouth! 

“Strumming the Lute” is Form #5 (on my list) 
it’s a still-pose I combine with #6, “Repulse Monkey” – 
four backward steps while strumming the lute – 
I often feel I am floating while stepping backward,
but this morning especially.

Sunday, April 14, 2024 ~w.

Next month, I will list the names of the 24 Tai Chi Forms we will follow on June 22nd in the park.

We think about you every day, dear Sara.

If you are new to this letter, follow this link for the background of our monthly Letters to Sara, and if you enjoyed reading this letter, please share it with a friend. Thanks ~w.

If you are new to this letter, follow this link for the background of our monthly Letters to Sara, and if you enjoyed reading this letter, please share it with a friend. Thanks ~w.