write in praise of ignorance – that is, <br />that state which we so easily mis-name; <br />which would be better known by that old term, <br />‘un-knowing’ – free of guilt or sin in one <br />who knows the truth and, knowingly, denies.. <br /> <br />un-knowing should be celebrated; as <br />some youthful minor god in painted scenes: <br />adolescent in the goddess Wisdom’s <br />splendid train; gazing up at her, <br />clear-browed; wide-eyed; attention at the leash; <br /> <br />not-knowing – like a runner on the blocks, <br />contained; elastic spring of energy; <br />yet fingertips so delicately placed <br />on starting-line; there’s elegance to see <br />in our unknowing’s race to reach the truth; <br /> <br />unknowing: which spurs every scientist <br />so to observe; infer; compare; and test; <br />evolve hypothesis; and test again; <br />then offer to the world as reason’s law <br />of Nature’s finer detail, which may yield <br />a harvest of some golden benefit; <br /> <br />admitting one’s unknowing is the key: <br />(does this seem far too simple to be said?) <br />Poised between two beauties, Innocence, <br />and Wisdom, see Unknowing’s beauty too; <br /> <br />then in that beauty, all the universe <br />shines bright and fresh and new, to be enjoyed; <br />none other than myself; who knows no claim <br />but witnesses all that may be revealed..<br /><br />Michael Shepherd<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/in-praise-of-ignorance/
