Arlington National Cemetary br br Tomb of the Unknowns. br A sarcophagus for the living, br for sarcophagi are for the living. br But these dead unknowns are unknowing— br They are agnostic, br and we are agnostic. br br The tomb is heavy white marble – br cold, without human warmth, br with the epitaph, br “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God”. br Author unknown. br He is “known but to God”, br but he is unknowing, br and we are unknowing. br We are all agnostic br br Honor and glory need no warmth br excepting the fire of victory. br Sarcophagi are for the living, br Memories are for the living. br But will our memories be warm? br Will we be remembered? br We are all unknowns. br br We have populated Earth br with our billions, br unknown and unknowing br and we will always be unknown and unknowing. br br Who made the first br paper? br cup handle? br copper, steel? br bow and arrow? br writing? br arithmetic? br house? br cloth & clothing? br nails? br playing cards? br board game? br br No Jesus, br No Elvis Presly br No Aristotle br No Beatles br No Einstein br No Rolling Stones br No Buddha br No Alfred Hitchcock br No George Washington br No Madam Curie br br We are all unknown and unknowing, br as the soldierly unknowns are unknown and unknowing. br And being so, we are empty.