The Cassandra Complex

Stan Rogal
From:   Geometry of The Odd. Wolsak and Wynn, 1999

Riding in on a wave, water reaches
its highest point in recorded history.
Who wish to pay the Great Flood no never mind
occludes the fact that Nature tends to cycle
     & oscillations can occur
        even with the last sand bag set in place.
Within this limitless time & space continuum
self-similarity implies recursion, meaning:
     patterns contain patterns which advance the scheme.
Whether flood, famine or flamingo, each composes
of a multitude of more minute replicas
& so on down the line.
Or presses the imperative categorical that epidemics
do not disappear but lie in wait beyond inoculation.
Or theorizes that entire species could return
to former size.
Or the reincarnation of either devils or saints.
What rocks with the whole of continental shift & drift
programs the same forward & back.
The earth ever chained to Fate's trim ankle
displays its characteristic
Cassandra
     condemned to forecast plain as day
        & affecting no one
           with no mind to change.

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