Refined Understanding

(28 February 2002)

 

They say the trick to making something beautiful--

              To making an elephant from a block of ivory--

Is just to carve away whatever

                                                        doesn't

                                                                      look like an elephant.

 

Take away the corners, sharpened edges

Until you're left with just the thing

                                                                staring back at critical eyes.

 

It works, you see.  It can't help but work.

You take away what doesn't match, and everything that's left

                                                        must necessarily serve its purpose.

So if function is your only goal, you're guaranteed success.

 

The catch, though--there is a catch--

              is that it may always be a little more like an elephant.

There's always more to carve, to peel away,

              and your little figurine gets better...and littler.

 

The thing is--in all your accuracy--

              The thing is--with every little bit you peel away--

                            The thing is, as you progress and shrink

                                          You seem to forget what got your attention in the first place:

Elephants are big.