1.8 Mechanisms

by Eric Chaet

Valves
hinges
pistons
& cylinders
gear-trains
trip-hammers
cams
& cam-shafts:

mechanisms
of a thousand
useful machines

creations
of the creation,
humanity.

No one knows
the inventors’
names,
&, anyway,
compared to
what has become
of what they snatched from nothing but potential—
with refinement after refinement—
what they made was crude
yet exquisite
as dandelion, salmon, or Saturn’s rings.

Beyond reverence, I’d learn to manipulate them
for my own benefit & everyone’s
except those who take advantage of others’
weakness, ignorance, & desperation
to expropriate & dominate.

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Picture: Laurissa Briggs