Joyce was yes wrong

Joyce was yes wrong when he wrote
that the minds of rats
could not understand trigonometry.
As it is a manic vole can vote,
But only can he so far float.
I've seen arrangements where
it panics as a tractor and planter
circle a prairie pothole. A parabolic ring
of dead wet coat rat, there
on its side been a dead thing in the moat,
but it knew why and yes the tangents.

Small Changes

Now power poles with wooden phalanges
are matched to curves' angles
in augered holes three degree leans
off what the plumb bob dangles.
Less pretty than a purist would
with a sense of straight pure people
and kiln cured wood. Leans mean less braces
and amplified these small changes
add to less, just a little leaning mess.
A lean depends on the force endured
and if your back's to the pull
or your face is.