October 4: The “A” Train

When working on a problem of some size

There sometimes comes a flash of clarity

That makes all your preceding steps seem wise,

And your conclusions ring with verity-

For suddenly, the path is not defined

By dead ends that in error you have taken,

Instead, mistakes seem perfectly designed

A vital new perspective to awaken.

It is impossible to trust perfection,

For fear of failure’s thoroughly enmeshed

So even when one speaks with circumspection

The fear of overstatement breeds afresh.

Try not to think abo...