Systems

–All things were together
then the mind came and arranged them
………………………………………….—Anaxagoras

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at first I thought that trunks, limbs,
and leaves were one thing called “tree”
but then I learned that tree was
split with ax of brain and its parts
stacked like cordwood, linguistically

parsing parts from roots to crown
I learned to see them categorically,
but then I noticed they were bound
like arteries and veins to heart
and would die if pulled apart

now I see that limbs, trunk 
and leaves are one called “tree”
and though it’s true they may be
split by blade of brain and set apart
like arteries and veins and heart,
we should think before we start:

do not presume such cleavings
are rendered with impunity

Jim Culleny
—April; 2009