Dieses Baums Blatt, der von Osten Meinem Garten anvertraut, Gibt geheimen Sinn zu kosten, Wie’s den Wissenden erbaut. Ist es ein lebendig Wesen, Das sich in sich selbst getrennt? Sind es zwei, die sich erlesen, Dasz man sie als Eines kennt? Solche Frage zu erwidern, Fand ich wohl den rechten Sinn: Fühlst du nicht an meinen Liedern, Dasz ich Eins und doppelt bin? Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) The passion behind Goethe’s poem Gingo biloba, dedicated to his former lover, Marianne von Willemer, inspired this piece of work. The handwritten poem themed “one and double” has two ginkgo leaves pasted on it by Goethe himself on 15 September 1815. The original with the hand-pasted ginkgo leaves is housed in the Goethe Museum, Düsseldorf, Germany. (English translation) This leaf from a tree in the East, Has been given to my garden. It reveals a certain secret, Which pleases me and thoughtful people. Does it represent One living creature Which has divided itself? Or are these Two, which have decided, That they should be One? To reply to such a Question, I found the right answer: Do you notice in my songs and verses, That I am One and Two? John Iverson FIRE 74