Lessons of Mathematics: To Mr Joelson 

Parts of the Circle

Today we name parts of the circle. Yesterday
We studied pie charts. And tomorrow morning
We shall devote the lesson to fractions. But today,
Today we name parts of the circle. The sixth form
Is charging to rugby on Spens Field,
And today we name parts of the circle.

This is the perimeter - the circumference. And this
Is the width - the diameter, whose positions you will see,
When you are given your worksheets. And this is the radius,
Which are on your sheets you have not got. The unfit slow boys
Puff their way to the pitches,
Speed in their case they have not got.

This is the arc, which we will label in pencil
Along with the other parts. And please do not let me
See anyone using an ink-pen. You can do it quite easy
If you have a sharp-pointed pencil. The brass band
Practises in the hall, they are marking their music,
Not any of them using ink-pen.

And this is a pair of compasses. The purpose of these
Is to draw a circle, as you see. We can place the
Point firmly on paper then sweep: we call this
Describing the arc. And energetically sweeping leaves,
The Groundsmen are busily cleaning the pathways.
They call it focusing the mind.

They call it focusing the mind; it is perfectly easy
If you pay any attention in class; like the arc,
And the diameter, and the circumference, and the radius;
Which in your case you have not got; and the 1st XV,
Celebrating a victory and the band raising the roof of the hall
For today we name parts of the circle.

D Lumby (11.01)

An Epitaph

Gone
With the wind
But not in a flurry
Nor in death
Though something ceased to be.
Rather a gradual cease in
Existence that went
Unnoticed.
No tremor marked his fall
Nor did the heavens shake
But calmly turned
And wept.
He would pause,
As before and tread
The same paths,
Live the same life.
He lay, his eyes
Shuttered, as if
Entombed.
He smiled with a look
That conveyed
Neither dread,
Nor apprehension,
But absence.
'Live your life'
They would say,
And 'Carpe Diem'.
He smiled,
And blinked,
And paused,
And walked on.