sensing mutual
misfortune, solace seeking
… in chaos theory
Adapted from a line of Jim Harrison’s in the Brown Dog Novella, “The Summer He Didn’t Die” (2006).
Mr. Harrison writes, “ … she felt a sense of mutual misfortune akin to looking for solace in chaos theory.”
I had to go the wikipedia for a refresher on Chaos Theory and it states: Chaos theory is an interdisciplinary scientific theory and branch of mathematics focused on underlying patterns and deterministic laws, of dynamical systems, that are highly sensitive to initial conditions, that were once thought to have completely random states of disorder and irregularities.
I do not second guess Mr. Harrison, but maybe in this case, consider Chaos, or as it is in the Greek, “Abyss” of early Greek cosmology, either the primeval emptiness of the universe before things came into being or the abyss of Tartarus, the underworld.
Considering all three, underlying patterns and deterministic laws, of dynamical systems, or the primeval emptiness of the universe or the underworld, there is not much solace to find in any of them.
Nevertheless, an apt description of the times we live in.
To which I respond with Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis!
Some solace there acutally.
Though the poet responded, Quo modo? fit semper tempore pejor homo!
Or …
The times change, and we change with them.
How’s that?
Mankind always gets worse with time!
Feel better now?
Can’t wait to see how all this turns out.
No Haiku For You 