After I posted John Harper's poem and song yesterday, I received a request for his recent song about Mark Mahowald, performed at a recent conference banquet. Harper, who does not subscribe to this list, promptly obliged as follows................................DMD ______________________________________________________________ Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 12:15:55 -0400 From: John Harper Subject: Re: songs, poems Here is the Mahowald Song. Its tune is the "Officer Krupke" song from West Side Story, by Bernstein and Sondheim. Professor Mahowald, we're still in a daze When we ask a question, you show us other ways; Notation's peculiar, we can't come to grips With information at your fingertips. Your energy's prodigious though the arguments are rash They illuminate the subject with a lightning flash; Dots appear from nowhere, are you throwing darts? Have some mercy, spare us from the charts. Professor Mahowald you've showed us the way Unraveling the structure of the image of J; With infinite families we're able to cope But maybe not the V-n telescope. Arrows go all whichway, diagrams are large Mark barks out a theorem like a master Sarge; But where to find the details, who to write the proofs? Make an induction on anything that moves. Professor Mahowald, there's barely a stem That doesn't bear your signature,** double M; So please thak this tribute, heartfelt from our ranks. Professor Mahowald,our thanks! performance note, the asteriks indicate a pair of loud hand claps.