ELAN VITAL

for Copthorne Macdonald 
1936-2011

      What is it that inspires and expires,
     That animates what’s otherwise inert,
     The vital spark of all organic fires
     That raises living beings from mere dirt?
    
     Or is it rather that the dirt’s alive,
     That matter is but spirit’s artifact,
     That spirit matters and imparts the drive
     Toward higher consciousness and force to act?
    
     That matter’s first is scientism’s view,
     Which Newton’s laws intend to comprehend:
     There is no ghost in this machine, and you
     Are but an accident that time will end.
    
          Suppose instead that spirit underlies
          All being everywhere and never dies.

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