Black Friday

A Danish physicist has been heading a team
working on the mathematics of a theory for several years
which, when complete, will
challenge our Newtonian knowledge
of gravity. The math of this theory
will prove that gravity is NOT a “force,”
but a “phenomena” (i.e. like weather).
This more fluid and changeable concept of gravity
will make it more possible to reconcile the math
with what we think we know
of the universe. For instance,
no need for the extravagant
imaginary invention of Black Holes.

Listening this morning again
to Daniel Barenboim playing Beethoven’s 17th
sonata, “The Tempest.” How the physicality
of the immense black Steinway
on which he plays with the discretion
of each finger and the very physicality of the music comes like touch each
morning into my age-ravaged but very
physical body.
And
it
doesn’t
change
whether we are able
to describe and know it mathematically
at all. Sometimes
I feel the absurdity of trying to live
without numbers.
But what
really is absurd
is trying to live without
poetry.

The third movement of “The Tempest”
is chasing itself around Daniel Barenboim’s fingers
now. And I am ever caught
in its web.