Archimedes’
Mistake
by George A. Renn
Archimedes, former
of ingenious plans,
By wrong words, killed over arranged
grains of sand.
Far more clever to leave the artwork
behind
Return tomorrow to improve the design.
His request “Do not disturb my
circle,” ignored--
Next a genius’s life destroyed by
sword.
A soldier stabbed him, unaware of his
deeds:
Violence done with whim, swagger, and
ease.
Fortune knows futures once arranged
Cannot be bartered, delayed, or changed.
Demons of impatience conspired to find
A force to still a first-class mind
The Fates nodded, then once awake
Looked with regret upon their mistake. |
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