Simplicities of being
Behind the complexities of life
there are the radiant simplicities
the single cells that divide
and the multiplicities of divisions
that lead to the complexity
of our singleness
and to the robust biochemistry
of carbon and hydrogen and oxygen
the supple atomic chemistry of the rose
of the robin’s winter song
and the dandelion that dances
in the summer breeze
not to mention her pale skin stretched
against her high cheekbones
flushed by the fine flow
of her handsome blood
And so within the complexity of our minds
and the million upon million cells
that keep our consciousness together
it’s the simple things we hanker for
—the notes of a pure Chopin melody
move us like no other
so too Matisse colours and textures and shapes
in fact the simplicities of any medium
however complex their contrivance
We are creatures of simple tastes
happiest when our lives are focused
on the essence of what it is to be—
a stroll in the green park
or a day on the beach
lived in and for the moment
the simplicity of the human touch
the subtle sensitivity of skin on skin
and the engaging warmth of word
upon word upon word
the tender and irreducible mathematics
of love : that essential integer
the couple that lies behind
every single simplicity
John Lyons
johnjosephlyons 