Aftermath (1+1)

by J. Clark Farmer

He believed, of course, in neat addition

(Leading in time to multiplication)

Laying all hopes in a short equation,

But factors he had not counted on

Shattered his precious paragon,

Unable to encompass the phenomenon

Of clouds slipping over bright

Moonlight, or in a pond, the rippling glide of

A maple leaf. Somehow it just didn’t add

Up.