The New Paradigm

The New Paradigm

When the old rules cease to function
And the new ones aren’t yet firm;
When there’s no implied injunction
On the method or the term;

Paradigms collapse.
Foot trails are the sequel.
No more roadmaps.
It’s all equal.

Rate of climb
Oil pressure
What’s the standard?
What’s the measure?

Raw intention
Gut emotion
Apt invention
Words in motion

That’s the standard.
That’s the sequel.
It’s all equal.

Jack Purcell
Poems of the New Old West
Copyright 2004