String Theory

by MeanMrMustard

Published October 12, 2010

In Unedited Poems 2011

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:smt002 Make what you want. Is everything as it seems?
To reviewers: Pay attention to all details, there's more than you might think.
edit: this has been edited since, so consider this version an old draft. 2/19/10

String Theory

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I look for meaning with a plebeian mind;
Is it intrinsic or merely implied?
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Comments & reviews · 12
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savannah456 Comment
savannah456 commented Comment · Feb 12, 2011

I really like this; though I don't really understand it. I must say, it's really got me thinking. I like it though (:

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MeanMrMustard
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MeanMrMustard commented Comment · Feb 12, 2011

Going to do a bit of retrospective analysis myself after being a few months out.

This poem is meant to represent all possibilities of thoughts, words, expressions, etc., in terms of poetry. The placement of tildes presents the notion of both a uniform mass of the unknown as well as a hidden attempt into showing iambic pentameter. That is the tildes are ten to a row as if syllables, in 12 rows (notice the middle two almost perfectly fall into the right meter, though their execution is another matter altogether), repeating the expected form for the pentameter. They are meant to embody both the "strings" of String Theory (which by extension becomes everything) and any possible configuration of poetry. Chaos and the unknown forced into a traditional sonnet form of poetry so often used by man in writing.

The stance taken by the poem is that the act of writing is an inquiry into meaning. A journey into what is, a journey into what we do not know, and the illusion of knowing. While you may make what you like of the poem, the poem is designed for you to struggle to grasp it fully; societal and culturally fed meanings do you not convince you of meaning in life, and we all ask ourselves or wonder what meaning exists...and in the same manner so does the poem. This decision by me, I believe is more good than it is bad. It is a question of reshaping the current form into something that betters communicates my intention. Additionally, I believe I could tinker with the word choice for the rest of my life. This idea is a risk, because it assumes the reader is familiar with the concept and will work to understand it; however, it also assumes that it itself is deep and worth looking into.

In that respect, I believe simplicity with beauty, without encouraging a reader in any one direction, is the key to truly impart this poem's message.

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MeanMrMustard
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MeanMrMustard commented Comment · Oct 12, 2010

PinkShearwater wrote:Well, I happened to cross this poem last night. I was going to comment, but I thought I'd wait to see if anything clicked in my head and save my comments for later. Unfortunately, here I am today, still puzzled.
I've tried to connect your words with 'string' theory' in many different ways but I find myself endlessly walking in a circle. However, I still like this for some odd reason...

~Shear


Hey there Shear! I was hoping you'd drop by. Thanks for letting me know that, that's very insightful, like all of the comments have been. Unfortunately, I can't give a meaning behind the words as a whole, just what they mean to me in their placement.

I am somewhat concerned by the vague nature of this poem, which might be overboard. A lot of possibilities to go from here. Thanks again!

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Shearwater
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Shearwater wrote a review Review · Oct 12, 2010

Well, I happened to cross this poem last night. I was going to comment, but I thought I'd wait to see if anything clicked in my head and save my comments for later. Unfortunately, here I am today, still puzzled.
I've tried to connect your words with 'string' theory' in many different ways but I find myself endlessly walking in a circle. However, I still like this for some odd reason...

~Shear

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MeanMrMustard
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MeanMrMustard commented Comment · Oct 12, 2010

*singerofthenight* wrote:Well, I must say this is what you would call a brain twister. Gave me quite a headache. By plebeian, would you happen to mean common people?


Yes, ambiguity is intended with every word. That one is meant to hang people up in particular though.

I'm thinking switching a word or two with this and seeing if I can get some mileage out of in the real world. This is the first poem I've done in nearly ten years that I haven't immediately filed away "for later work". At the very least, I might get some very confused professors.

*singerofthenight* wrote a review Review · Oct 12, 2010

MeanMrMustard wrote::smt002 Make what you want. Is everything as it seems?
To reviewers: Pay attention to all details, there's more than you might think.

String Theory

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~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
I look for meaning with a plebeian mind;
Is it intrinsic or merely implied?
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
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Well, I must say this is what you would call a brain twister. Gave me quite a headache. By plebeian, would you happen to mean common people?

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MeanMrMustard
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MeanMrMustard commented Comment · Oct 12, 2010

Thanks folks, sounds like the intention was successful. For once I actually like where a poem is going. A few tweaks and well...

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ObWriter97 Comment
ObWriter97 commented Comment · Oct 12, 2010

Can't say it was boring, thats for sure! Certaintly had me thinking and to be honest still is:) Nice

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inkwell
Review
inkwell wrote a review Review · Oct 12, 2010

I like the minimal two lines at the center but the squiggles are silly. Even if you are talking about string theory and are forming a picture, it should be with words. Otherwise, neat poem. :)

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MeanMrMustard
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MeanMrMustard commented Comment · Oct 12, 2010

Jaz wrote:I like it. :) I'm not sure I understand it... but I like it.

~Jaz


That's sort of what I was going for. Thanks!

I think having eleven sets of tildas would be better so as to symbolize the eleven dimensions of string theory. Twelve seems to be a bit weird... it looks even, but I don't like it. But that might just be me being a science geek. Also, I am stupid... why the pairing? I kind of want to say "chromosomes" but that's because I am a bio nerd.


This was written in a specific poem format. That's the only clue I'll give. :smt002

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Snoink
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Snoink wrote a review Review · Oct 12, 2010

I think having eleven sets of tildas would be better so as to symbolize the eleven dimensions of string theory. Twelve seems to be a bit weird... it looks even, but I don't like it. But that might just be me being a science geek. Also, I am stupid... why the pairing? I kind of want to say "chromosomes" but that's because I am a bio nerd.

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Jaz
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Jaz commented Comment · Oct 12, 2010

I like it. :) I'm not sure I understand it... but I like it.

~Jaz



"She doesn't even go here!"
— Damian Leigh