The martial arts are not just
about fighting or learning to defend yourself, there is much more to THE
ARTS than this. Many martial artists practise their chosen art for
reasons other than combat, some engage in THE ARTS for reasons of self
improvement or for to find the real inner self. The clue to THE ARTS is
in the title.... ART..... if you ask a child what is ART? the response
you will receive is most likely to be "painting or drawing", and of
course they would be correct, this is most peoples view of ART. Over the
millennia many martial artists have excelled in other ARTS. The late
Bruce Lee was a renowned Cha cha dancer, as well as being a stupendous
fighter and philosopher. So like the millions of martial artists who
have passed before us this page is dedicated to any martial artist, from
white belt to black, who would like to share with others some of their
ARTISTIC skills that do not necessarily involve combat.
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The following poem is dedicated to Mr. Ed Parker. It
was written by one of our Brown Belts, Alice Seatherton. It was composed
as a project at school for English, and I am proud to place it on this
web site for you to read.
Mr. Ed Parker's Life
By Alice Seatherton
Ed was eight
He did Judo it was his fate
Punch POW, kick OW!
As he grew bigger
He could find your trigger
Punch POW, kick OW!
He trained and trained
Each day he felt massive pain
Punch POW, kick OW!
Each day made him stronger
As you creep you make him wonder
Punch POW, kick OW!
He stopped an attack by using a comb
This happened near his home
Punch POW, kick OW!
He founded a new art, American Kenpo
Where you don't worry about your tempo
Punch POW, kick OW!
Elvis asked if he would guard him
And he said "yes as a friend"
Punch POW, kick OW!
In the end Ed taught Elvis Kenpo
And he said "its not about tempo"
Punch POW, kick OW!
He came to England
Bringing his art with him
Punch POW, kick OW!
He met my eldest sister too
its sad he can't say hi to you
Punch POW, kick OW!
Now he's sleeping
He can rest his head
No more punch, no more kick
No more OW!
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The poem following was penned by Professor
Andy Seatherton in 2000. It is dedicated to the memory of
Senior Grand
Master Ed Parker, and was presented to SGM Parker's late wife in 2002 as a
gift. In 2008 SGM's Parker's son, Ed Parker Jr, kindly gave permission
on behalf of his family to allow it re publication here on our web
site. Its title is "Not Just A Man".
Not Just A Man
Once A Good Man
Fell.
And If We Have
The Truth To Tell,
A Few Hugged
Themselves With Glee,
Those Who's Eyes
Just Could Not See,
The Rest For
Many Years Just Striving,
To Keep His Art
Alive And Thriving.
Once A Gentle
Man Fell.
Leaving Those
Who Loved Him Well,
To Join His
God, And Share His Love,
With All Who
Dwell In Heaven Above.
His Family,
Spread The Whole World Wide,
Felt Their Loss
As His Light Passed Them By.
Once A Great Man
Fell.
Yet Sparks Of
Inspiration Still Swell
Within The
Hearts Of Those He Met,
And Of Those Who
Have Not Yet.
One Day We Shall
Meet In Some Distant Place,
To Again Enjoy
His Power, Speed , And Grace.
By Andy
Seatherton
Dedicated to the
Memory of
Mr. Edmund K
Parker
Senior Grand
Master of The Arts.
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