Paternity

 

“The Birth of the Idea” by Nina Mitkova

 

 

push the stone from the path
one less obstacle facing your issue
descendants conceived of the mind
clear the passage of conscience
lessen the ordeal of birthing
that infant ideas emerge realized
in follow of footsteps you pressed
upon soils you claimed as your own
give them freedom of movement
to grow beyond reach of your shadow
come into their own striking out
in directions untried by experience
finding their cogent maturity
handsomely featured resembling
your lineage values yet fully unique
bearing fresh lines of thought
shaping futures they newly imagine

here is a robust conceptual legacy
mark it and fill up your brain with
an unvarnished pride that the children
your intellect fathered now venture
forth making bold maps of discovery
adding new wealth to the rational
cache of man’s cognitive treasury

 

 

From my book Small Noise