You list the number of days, integer
of shared power: francium’s atomic
number—our last element discovered
in nature. Passage of those historic
years Lincoln cites at Gettysburg, honoring
freedom’s struggle. (You understand the fight,
love’s power of sweet surrender, cornering
peace deep in the heart—no more thought of flight.)
There’s Bowie’s song 87 and Cry,
released in ’87; famed opus
number for Shostakovich; lastly, try
Shakespeare’s sonnet. No power can stop us
from seeing this figure’s creative spirit—
digital symbol to bless life, not fear it.
Roger Armbrust
March 28,
2013
