the calculus of lambda (λ)

Did you know that lambda (λ) is the Cosmological Constant? In fact, the "standard model" of the big bang universe is known as λCDM (lambda cold dark matter). It is considered the simplest model for matching theory with observations of the universe.

The following appears to be the case (physicists please correct me if I have this wrong):

λ is dark energy and 68.3% of the universe is dark energy.

Dark matter constitutes 26.8% of the universe.

And calculus is about discovering the unknown.

So let’s discover a universe in which lambda is knowable and energetically taking up 68.3% of ‘space’.

the calculus of lambda (λ)

the variable x is a valid lambda term

what of xx

double λ?

lambda calculus solves my world

discovers the unknown

the dark energy driving the universe

repeat after me the three rules

–a variable x is a valid lambda term

–if t is a lambda term, and x is a variable, then (λx.t) is a lambda term

(a lambda abstraction)

–if t and s are lambda terms, then (ts) is a lambda term

(an application)

the observations click

purple shift

that emotional leap of faith into other realms

a transit out of time into timelessness

where

x = woman

t = transit

s = you work it out

The three rules above can be found on Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambda_calculus

Thank you to wonderful physicist Meryl Waugh for sending me some info on lambda. Any mistakes here are mine not hers.

 The photos on this page from the top are:
1. A coven of lambda lambs in the Basilica di San Clemente, Rome.
2. Saptamatrika: seven matrikas, seven mothers, sometimes connected with the Pleiades. They always hang out together and are often found dancing. One of them in this picture has the head of a sow. In this picture on the left: Shiva, then the matrikas: Brahmani, Maheshvari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani, Chamunda (photo taken in the Oriental Museum in Torino). If you want to know more about matrikas, check out Giti Thadani's wonderful Moebius Trip.
3. Another girl gang on a gold Etruscan bracelet.
4. I don't know what this means. I found it on the wall at the Film Museum in Torino, and there appear to be a few lambda calculations going on in there. All grist for the mill.

This poem was first published on the Wonder Book of Poetry edited by Kit Kelen: http://wonderbookofpoetry.org/

astrology church

Rome is filled with memories of times that preceded the series of pasts that have come to make the present.

A few days after my arrival in Rome I visited Santa Maria degli Angeli not far from Rome's main station.

It's a huge spacious building and I wandered in and was looking at walls and windows, looking for sheep and wolves (my current project). I came to a cordoned off area and looked down and there at my feet was this rather attractive sheep. I walked along a bit further: a cow at my feet (a previous poetic project); walked yet further and I saw twins. That was the moment the penny dropped. Across the floor of this enormous church is an astrological calculator.

I have a Literature Residency at the BR Whiting Library in Rome (funded by the Australia Council) and I'm exploring the stories, the symbols, the politics and histories around wolves and lambs.

Here's my response to the church I went into that day.

Santa Maria degli Angeli

the angels are all here

they are stars

they constellate

across the centre of this church

earth’s ecliptic

laid out like an Italian feast

here is the ewe Aries

here is Queenie the cow

here the devilish twins

the old ones are here too

come to see the layout

the spread

across the transept

la linea meridian

just as our ancestors did

here light falls

indicating the equinox

the ewe

the lamb tells us

with precision

when spring has come