A Special Kind of Belt

I hold up one end of my belt
wrap it around once,
twice
around my white dobok.
Black, worn and inscribed with gold Korean script
as if it were once white
and accumulated the dust
of four years dedication and hard work.
Holding the belt I feel
the loud harmony of the ‘kihap’
then the clapping of the targets
and tired, laboured breathing
This is what my black belt means to me
It is my journey to understand this martial art
Not a symbol of power
but of respect, integrity and mastery