Zero
by Gary Hardaway
It is the one and only useful absolute.
It is abstract. There is never nothing.
It serves us well as arbitrary starting point
as Dick acquires apples, plums or cherries--
usually from Jane who never starts with nothing
but somehow loses all to Dick.
The arithmetic of human experience
is always a losing game for some. Poor Jane. Rich Dick.
The only absolute nothing is when you stand in front of your class and you can't remember what you intended to say. *
Strong opening line-- I like the twist of the generic here. Nice work, Gary.
"Rich Dick."
Awesome pun. Reminds me of the poem "0s and Fs" by Tyler Malone.
"The arithmetic of human experience"
cf. "the human coefficient" (Leonid Leonov, The Thief)
Fine poem, Gary.
*
Yes. Yes.
Thanks to all who read and commented.
Love it. *