Tragic Chemistry

The name “Tragic Chemistry” is derived from a line in a poem that Jorgenson wrote some years ago:

Phantom Alchemist

what tragic chemistry
are we,

am i

carefully selected
by the slow semblance of intellect
that ages of chance present
to wanting children

invested finally
like no experiment before
with the desire to know
the phantom alchemist
that has rendered these potions

i wish for a countenance
to curse
to blame
to thank
to mentor me

but a process
loves not its progeny

and so the slow, slow hand
of a forgetful necromancer      (even i still personify)
continues to stir
one part chance into two parts chance
to yield three parts chance

with ears deaf to screams from the cauldron.