The Calculus Of Life
Nowhere to go but up and out,
A feeling strange, without a doubt,
(No, that’s not true – I doubt each day –
But feeling’s strange this corporate way).It’s like down by the river bank –
Spring-water swirls passed log that sank;
It carries things with swirling force –
And when it’s blocked cuts newer course.I did “white-water” for two days,
(I think I saw a ripple play
On rock as we went drifting by –
More like a quiet cruise, says I).But that is not the point – I saw
How river-work could be quite raw
Compared to my flat-water play,
For current here defines the way.One force in life is motive set
To carry us through life, and yet
We soon find out a greater force
Can give to all, life from The Source.I say it in this sequence now
Because when beached, I must allow,
That God did help me deal with self,
As I sat quiet on the shelf.But there’s this third force swirling on
Like river current, when the dawn
Sees us step up and out one day –
A force not in flat-water play.It brings to mind what Kathy taught
Of calculus (I answer sought,
To please define its role to me;
She said, “Its movement-math, you see –“Just take the math you’ve learned to date,
Add movement, then participate
In all the problems maths resolves,
For movement now a change involves.“Take volume (length, times width, times height),
That’s well and good if lid’s on tight;
What happens when a liquid flows,
And runs from tank, to car, through hose?“What is the volume of the gas
Which passes through? You well might ask.”
When you step into life there’s flow –
New factors to allow, and know.Some think that’s all of power there is –
Just passion-thrust, and river’s whiz –
But I’ve been stuck here on the shore,
And know from God there’s so much more.So once again, I backwards go:
The inner, upward, powers I know,
But what of God and self in flow?
The calculus of life below.navigation