Thinking About the Bill of Rights

Thinking about the Bill of Rights is quite confusing,

Running together the black letter of the text,

With James Madison’s bright, sharp mind.

And greater confusion:

With the structure of the Founders’ very lives.

It is confusing to think about the Bill of Rights:

What does it mean? 

Does it mean anything?

Or is it just a piece of history,

Like Founders’ wigs, or their snuff boxes,

Thinking about the Bill of Rights is immensely instructive.

Our thoughts hold the text, but

We must also not let go of Madison’s mind,

Of the Founders’ minds,

With all their confusing brightness and sharpness.

--May 25, 2013