How complicated is society,
that over all its eons has evolved
to felt a fabric of conformity
compressed. It seems our politics dissolved
the bright connections out of which we made
a counterpane. It’s iron comedy,
or comic irony. Our escapade
is intricate; we run it clumsily.

I wonder we don’t wonder we can move
without collision. It amazes me
to share a train with hundreds half-an-hour
in sleepy co-existence, as we prove
our evolution in a company
unchosen, underneath electric power.