! ! In Praise Of Ignorance Poem by Michael Shepherd

write in praise of ignorance – that is,
that state which we so easily mis-name;
which would be better known by that old term,
‘un-knowing’ – free of guilt or sin in one
who knows the truth and, knowingly, denies..

un-knowing should be celebrated; as
some youthful minor god in painted scenes:
adolescent in the goddess Wisdom’s
splendid train; gazing up at her,
clear-browed; wide-eyed; attention at the leash;

not-knowing – like a runner on the blocks,
contained; elastic spring of energy;
yet fingertips so delicately placed
on starting-line; there’s elegance to see
in our unknowing’s race to reach the truth;

unknowing: which spurs every scientist
so to observe; infer; compare; and test;
evolve hypothesis; and test again;
then offer to the world as reason’s law
of Nature’s finer detail, which may yield
a harvest of some golden benefit;

admitting one’s unknowing is the key:
(does this seem far too simple to be said?)
Poised between two beauties, Innocence,
and Wisdom, see Unknowing’s beauty too;

then in that beauty, all the universe
shines bright and fresh and new, to be enjoyed;
none other than myself; who knows no claim
but witnesses all that may be revealed..