What do we want to know?Not just “know”-ledge.Smart people know many things and impress with encyclopedic minds—a residue of fact and opinion.To see into the faceof a cat is to assimilate something significant.To be a world leaderwith a sense of humorand self-deprecationamid ease of global complexityis a gift to eternity.Such people know something special, despite their foibleswhich they always have.From where comes thisinsight and judgment?—Not from books,though they complete their studies.From where comes their self-belief,though they have faltered often?They know when to say yes,say no, and when to say wait,and when we’re near them,we believe.And so it seems, they livefull-timein a world of wonder, and I wonder myself if that is wherewhat they knowis at rest,waiting.   From Allan Cox’s collection, “Thin Wall of Radiance.”Copyright©2009, all rights reserved.