In the story ─ I didn't write ─
there's a clearing ─ a campfire ─
occupying the cardinals ─ four figures sit ─
Beauty at the North ─ Age at the South ─
Reason at the East ─ and here my analogy breaks ─
for love and every emotion ─ is born in reason ─
seemingly obtuse ─ seemingly irrational ─
ultimately utilitarian ─ perfectly practical ─
in scientific jargon ─ I've captured my moral ─
punctuated equilibrium ─ wave–particle duality ─
nothing mystical ─ no pretense to high artistry ─