Who Think Alone Grow Peculiar

Who think alone grow peculiar,
their minds unchastened
by friend, foe and
the normal humdrum of the outer world.

Ideas sprung half-formed,
standing on ideas sprung
half-formed, the acrobats locked,
veering, threatened by any,
loudly defensive of their monstrosity,
unaware of its error,
repulsed by the world where seen.

Less secure, less complete,
less consistent is the commerce of ideas,
the battle of wits, the slurry of abuse
and success in the world, and more true.

We stand better on the shoulders of others
than on our own.

George Byron Koch
1983

This poem has appeared in many publications over the years, including the University Bookman, Journal of the New York Medical Society, and Conference Board Magazine.