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POEMS

The Mathematics of Civil Rights

by JAMES MORRISON
LOS ANGELES
06 December 2009

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There are lives
that we must
calculate.

I'll translate
in case
you can't add:

Equal by Definition, Not Less Than,
Neither Less Than Nor Equal.

Not Similar.
Not Similar or Equal.

Not Greater Than, Neither Greater Than Nor Equal.
Not Approximately Equal.

Not Congruent.

Neither Precedes Nor Equals.
Does Not Follow.
Neither Follows Nor Equals.

Congruent Or Not.

There Never Exists,
Not an Element,
Not a Member,
Does Not Divide.

Summation: Logical Not.

There Exists,
For All,
Much Much Greater.

TAGS: , ,

James Morrison JAMES MORRISON grew up in Anchorage, Alaska and at 21 ran away to join the circus as a clown and wirewalker. Acting in the theatre further distracted him from a more practical life and after serving an apprenticeship with the Alaska Repertory Theatre, he traveled the country for years doing everything from Sam Shepard to Shakespeare in every regional theatre that would hire him. That led to more vainglorious exploits as a television and film actor in L.A., most recently in a 4-year hitch as Bill Buchanan on 24. He’s made short films and written plays and poems and songs and is currently producing a documentary called SHOWING UP: Conversations with Actors About the Audition, in which some of our finest discuss what it takes to pursue your dreams. He also teaches yoga at the Center for Yoga in Larchmont. Whenever James manages to do something he deems even half-worthwhile, he thanks his wife Riad and son Seamus for without them he’d be picking through the dumpster behind a bar somewhere. You can find out more about him at www.jpmorrison.com.

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12 Comments»

Comment by Rich Ferguson
2009-12-09 09:25:18

James:

For a guy who says he’s not very good with applying math skills in the real world, you sure do a helluva good job with applying them to a poem. Wonderful work. It’s a pleasure to welcome you into the fold.

Onward and upward, brother.

Comment by JPM
2010-02-11 19:41:32

Thanks, Rich. You’re an inspiration. Poetry would simply be math without you.

 
 
Comment by Ducky
2009-12-09 09:48:55

oh, James, I can’t add, but I hope for

Much Much Greater

too.

Comment by JPM
2010-02-11 19:42:25

I can’t add, either. But your hope adds to mine, thank you.

 
 
Comment by Kimberly
2009-12-09 11:11:00

I don’t usually comment on poetry but this one grabbed me. If only we could all truly understand what equality means! If only.

Comment by JPM
2010-02-11 19:44:19

Thank you, Kimberly. We’ll just do it then, acting as if! See you on the path.

 
 
Comment by Marcella S.
2009-12-09 11:51:11

Thank you James for that moving poem, it really affected me and I am overwhelmed, what a great work!
Hope that a lot of people will read it and think about it!

Comment by JPM
2010-02-11 19:45:05

Your reply moved me, Marcella, thank you.

 
 
Comment by Liza
2009-12-09 14:18:43

Very nice. We love you and Riad very much. Love your family down in Miami.

Comment by JPM
2010-02-11 19:46:22

Thank you, beautiful cousin. We send love to you all.

 
 
Comment by Uche Ogbuji
2009-12-12 12:49:19

Very nice. A bit of modern day sacred formula. George Herbert would be proud.

 
Comment by JPM
2010-02-11 19:52:24

I appreciate the reference to Herbert, though it’s a bit obscure to me as he was in touch, I think, with something wholly (and holy) quite beyond me. But thank you for the kind words.

 
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