Bruce Lee - Poetry

Poetry

Lee’s erudition expanded in any field that required pure human expression. Aside from martial arts and philosophy which focus on the physical aspect; and self-consciousness for truths and principles. He also wrote poetry that reflected his emotion and a stage in his life collectively. Many forms of art remain concordant with the artist creating them. Lee’s principal of self-expression was applied to his poetry as well. His daughter Shannon Lee said “He did write poetry, he was really the consummate artist”. His poetic works originally handwritten on paper, later on edited and published. John Little being the major author (editor), for Bruce Lee’s works. Linda Lee Cadwell (Bruce Lee’s wife) shared her husbands notes, poems and experiences with followers. She mentioned “Lee’s poems are, by American standards, rather dark-reflecting the deeper, less exposed recesses of the human psyche”. Most of Bruce Lee’s poems are categorized as anti-poetry or fall into a paradox. The mood in his poems show the side of the man that can be compared with other poets such as Robert Frost, one of many well-known poets expressing himself with dark poetic works. The paradox taken from the Yin and Yang symbol in martial arts, also integrated in his poetry. His martial arts, and philosophy contribute a great part to his poetry. The free verse form of Lee’s poetry reflect his famous quote “Be formless... shapeless, like water.”

Bruce Lee’s poems: