In the Next Life, Canto I, stanzas 80-86 revised

Though far-fetched is the motive of our friends,
they hear of one that’s more peculiar yet.
Some people think it’s time our journey ends
based on their research through the Internet.

The voice that calls these folks is old and Greek—
a dean of mathematical affairs.
I’m sure you’ve heard of him of whom I speak
for something like the summing of the squares

Not only a good numbers man was he,
with theorems on triangles and such;
he spread his general philosophy
by preaching with a charismatic touch.

The years the faithful number since he died
because he differed from his fellow men
are that which they can evenly divide
by all the integers from one to ten.

Okay, I know you must be thinking, “Cripes,
this isn’t math, it’s numerology.”
Well, nobody said arithmetic types
are all completely rational like me.

Is their “Divisiblism” any worse
in essence than avoidance of thirteen?
Or saying a cashier invoked a curse
because three sixes line up on a screen?

Those other superstitions have not led
like this one, to a plot to postpone dawn,
but if our Mission's founders had not said
“Let’s hit the gas,” these geese would not have gone.


©2010, 2016 Louis A. Merrimac