We are currently at work on a book about Archimedes, a very interesting subject for a project. The initial impetus was the ongoing work at The Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore on decoding The Archimedes Palimpsest. Google it, it's a great story.
Archimedes In High School
Block & tackle
kind of guy, good with tools
good with numbers.
I can still see him
drawing in the sand
with a long stick.
Circles.
I always wanted
to sit next to him
in geometry class
but it never worked out
that way.
He smoked Camels
even then and I recall
his tunic speckled
with cigarette burn holes.
Deep in thought
he forgot
he had one lit
until it dropped
and burned him.
Archimedes News
There is no news.
The days follow
the same gentle arc
as usual
and for this alone
I am thankful.
Fall is upon us,
the temperature a pleasing 70
degrees and
I remain in the company
of my friend Archimedes
who has just introduced me
to his old school mate
Erastothenes,
a good egg.
We’re going out
for a couple cold ones
as soon as I’m off work
which will be about
8 o’clock.
Archimedes at the Bar
Archimedes
on a bar stool,
stately and composed
his face washed
in pink neon.
He looks like Gabby Hayes
but sounds like Charles Laughton.
He’s enamored of the barmaid,
he admires her
"vocabulary and good usage"
and she keeps the Stingers coming.
The last thing I remember
is when Archimedes said
"there’s no such thing as cosmic debt".
That was just before
last call.
Archimedes’ Tub
A heaviness presses
on poor Archimedes,
he carries it in his neck
and shoulders mostly–
some days it almost
makes him stagger.
It’s a certain burden
that great men bear
and today the circles
have gotten the best
of him.
Camphor oil on his temples
a long soak in the marble tub
a sweet young thing from Thebes
to play the lyre
for him,
that’s the only thing
that seems to help.
Archimedes Tries To Quit
The Camel straights
have done their damage
and poor Archimedes
tries to quit.
He’s chewing Nicorette
Fruit Chill™ – coated twice
for an intense fruit flavor
with a hint of mint.
The Second Punic War
has been a real bitch
and his nerves are frayed,
he’s edgy.
The nicotine makes it’s way
to his shaky old head,
his vision clears
and it’s back to work.
Archimedes’ Last Words
Archimedes with a cigarette–
a Camel, unfiltered.
He smokes them
down to a nub
so his fingers are stained
and ashes drop
into his thick beard.
He sits under the Catalpa trees
jotting down lines and drawing
circles and ellipses
in his big blue notebook
not noticing the Roman soldier
about to enter the scene.
"Do not disturb my circles."
are Archimedes last words.
Archimedes’ TombWhen Archimedes was slain
I sat near his tomb.
I waited and watched
as it became entangled
in a thicket
of forget.
After 137 years
Cicero, whose name
means chickpea, came by
cleared away the undergrowth
and paid his respects.
Cicero who was to suffer
soon enough.
