Theory of Everything

You test the weight of your theory,
toss it up, a perfect arc
from palm to palm.
You keep your eyes focused
straight ahead, concentrating
out of the corners of your eyes.
Electromagnetism shuttles
back and forth.

When you feel confident you move to two,
adding the Weak Force
to your equation.
They pass in the center,
one thrown over the other.

You juggle for a while
then move to three,
the Strong Force flying
smoothly with the others
in perfect szyzgy.

Feeling cocky
you add Gravity
too soon.
Your timing off,
all your theories fall,
bouncing slightly as they disappear
under the lab tables
and behind the door.

Sometimes you think you'll never juggle
four.


Lawrence Schimel