An Encounter With Merpati Putih (White Dove Martial Arts)on The Ms Oosterdam (3 Of 3/3 Of 5) Poem by Frank Yue

This poem is the final chapter in the following:

1. In Praise Of Last-Minute Cruises. (1 Of 3)

2. Where are you, my sweet little Plump Plum? (2 Of 3)

3. An Encounter with Merpati Putih on the MS Oosterdam. (3 Of 3)


This poem is ALSO the final chapter in the following:

1. A Winning Self-Defence Strategy (1 Of 5)
2. I'll Be Seeing You, Mr Punchman, Come Shine Or Rain! (2 Of 5)
3. An Encounter With Merpati Putih on the MS Oosterdam. (3 Of 5)
4. YUE'S (THE FOOL'S)SELF-DEFENCE GUIDELINES (4 Of 5)
5.3 Shadow-less Kicks Vs 6 Machete Chops! (5 Of 5)


An Encounter with Merpati Putih on the MS Oosterdam.
(During a 17-Day San Diego to Honolulu Cruise: Oct.20-Nov.5,2019)


Merpati Putih is Indonesian meaning White Dove, you see,
The martial art style of the royal Muslim family.
By observing a man's eyes, posture and movements, though,
If he's a trained fighter, you can deduce quite easily.
So, that's how I found out Noor, a Manager stout
In the Dining Room, is well-versed in Taekwando.

As a high schooler, Noor had learned the Merpati tradition,
It's all a matter of practice, concentration and devotion:
A teenage girl with her outstretched index-finger
Can break a thin metal rod.
To know that, may be you ought -
As on YouTube I'd seen such an amazing demonstration.

Tall, a light-heavyweight in his early thirties,
Noor is strong, highly sensitive to others' energy;
I tested him - With his right palm held up vertically,
He could sense my upheld palm's energy
From a table width away,
Even though l wasn't sending my qi his way!

Noor told me once in a room darkened,
With his friend seated fifteen feet away,
He was a little frightened
To suddenly see his friend's auric glow.
He said some Merpati Putih practitioners
Can go 'round obstacles even when blindfolded they are.

Each of us is of course a tiny spark of energy,
Radiating outward matters, heat and light;
Interconnected on Earth are our life,
And that is why, you see -
Like the planets, and stars in the skies high -
We're in constant motion like waves on the seas, until we die.

Noor used to be an experienced martial arts practitioner,
Winning a number of tournaments when he was a young man;
He was full of vitality and much fitter then.
But for some years now he didn't keep up with his martial way.
Even so, I said I was glad to say -
Your basic martial skills with you for life would stay.

Noor said he was taught how to absorb energy
From the Sun, the grass and the trees;
I told him one must be careful: There're good and bad energies!
Like us, trees and flowers may be sick too -
Thus, with a friendly "Hello! " - always ask for permission
Before proceeding with any energy extraction.

One may mentally draw strength from any source of energy:
Noor was a little surprised this goes also for the sea.
Look, I said, the sea is a little rough today -
When it's not in a calm and peaceful state,
NEVER try to take in the disturbed energy.
For this may not be so beneficial.

Be thankful, keep your needs simple, remain care free,
Live contentedly, merrily and healthily.
Never mean any harm to anyone any time;
If you don't feel comfortable, stop doing it - that's fine.
Do only GOOD THINGS to one another,
We can all make it a Better World together!

(- The End/...)