The Thinker Sleeps

Silver threads running -- mercurial streams
     forming the fabric, the stuff of my dreams.
Paths of the mind, how they twist and they weave
     forming connections you would not believe.

Silver threads running -- they glisten and gleam
     pulling together the parts of a theme.
Throughout the brain they flicker and glow
     lighting the paths where the memories flow.

Silver threads running -- connecting the brain
     these hook up sorrow; those hook up pain.
Why are some short, and yet others so long, 
     and where are the pathways for laughter and song?

Silver threads running -- I see them so plain
     all softly shining inside of my brain.
Trace the connections, the neuronic roads;
     mark down the patterns of synaptic nodes;
Watch for the flashes when thoughts jump the gap;
     do all your research while I take a nap.

c. 1988, B. Riley