Or What’s the Use

Kant’s crooked timber
Of humanity,
Zhuangzi’s crooked tree—

From neither any
Straight lumber ever—
But for one, too bad,

And the other, glee.
Crooked, born crooked,
Getting more and more

Crooked with weather,
Years, and injuries,
Short-lived bristlecone,

Reluctant bonsai,
You have to wonder
If you could incline

More to glee. Depends
On whether you feel
You’re useful, maybe.