Bacteria Get By

Is math equivalent to truth?
Does math equal truth? We suspect
That math, as a technology,

Is rather like photography—
It successfully depicts
The patterns of the waves it snags,

But gives no hint of worlds it missed.
There’s nothing mystical in this.
Some better mental instrument

May expand thought much as math has,
While for now it remains the best
Description of discovered past,

Prediction of the pasts up next.
The sense of touch wasn’t worthless
Once lives gained sight. It was worth less.