MATHEMATICS (V. Polichar)

I like the feel of the numbers
running through my hand.
But I’ve the heart of a charlatan:
I do not understand
the twisting of the symbols
that held me to your chest.
And even though I was serious,
I could not stand the test of mathematics.

Mathematics of the higher places.
Mathematics of the empty spaces between the stars.
Mathematics of one and one choose three —
what would make me happy?

I like the feel of explosions
running through my head,
and all my fiery arrows —
it was me I burned instead.
For no particular reason,
head turned to the west,
even though I was serious,
I could not do as I thought best.

Mathematics of the higher places.
Mathematics of the virgin spaces between the stars.
Mathematics of one and one choose three —
what would make you happy?

And when I look the sky seems stable.
When I walk the earth feels firm.
And love is just a fable
I thought I’d learned.

They say you only regret
the things you haven’t done.
Well, we never did anything
that would make me turn and run.
So I’m left with a hunger
coursing through my nerves,
and all the years between us now
are stretched into a curve of mathematics.

Mathematics of the higher places.
what could make me happy?

Where is the missing matter?
Why does the missing matter?
What is the missing matter?
What does the missing matter?