Published June 21, 2010
For a school competition we have to make a 100 words or less literary piece, based on the statement: "Science may set limits to knowledge, but should not set limits to our imagination."
Stars twinkling distantly, and
Planets unreachable, where are you?
Science fails to find you,
Destined to remain intangible, unknown.
Words scrawled by cramped hands defy
Years, generations of science.
Billion-dollar rockets fail to penetrate distant skies
Through which mere figments of our imagination soar.
Though lab-coats designate you off limits
Ink-stained hands mould you into reality.
Defying all known science,
Impossible worlds animated into artistic being, a genesis of
Pen and paper.
Real, with no proof,
There, but our of reach,
Free in our mind, not pocketed into lab-coats,
Forever and ever, be free
Limitless imagination…
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Hey there, RD! Nice to meet you.
GAH! Science poems. *luffs*
This is really very nice. The only thing I would say is that when you say "There, but our of reach" it should be out not our. Otherwise, wonderful poem.
Though, I do agree, it would be nice if you made a stanza explaining the differences of science vs. imagination, etc how they are different, etc etc.
Alas, great work. Bravo!
-Mizz
Hey ratdragoon!
I have to admit... I'm kind of a sucker for science poems too.
This poem kind of reminded me of the Learned Astronomer... I think that's the title anyway! One thing that I would really like to see is more of a description about imagination and what it can do. That way, you'll help out the contrast and make us aware of science vs. imagination.
Also, because I am annoying, I would like to ask why science and imagination are not possible together, according to your poem. I find science highly creative.
SCIENCE POEMS!!! My gosh, I just finished writing three myself. As someone who loves science and poetry...sir, you have found a good combination for my tastes.
. Good luck!
I'm intrigued by the nature of this competition (in fact, I'm thinking I should run something similar at our own school, since I have that power!). Does this mean that science can have a knowledge limit in terms of what we know, but that how many ways in which we can (expressively, imaginatively) describe it is limitless? That's an awesome topic.
So...for the poem. I'd suggest to have a read to it yourself after you've given it a few days to cool, and ask yourself which parts are cliche, or don't really have the 'wow' effect that they should. Because this poem needs to be a 'wow.' It can't afford to fall down on phrases like 'stars twinkling distantly' or 'planets are unreachable' or figments of our imaginations soar.' You've got to show us your wonder for science. Don't tell us. Don't even use the word 'imagination.' Don't actually, explicitly state what you want to convey. Use exciting language, not pseudo-exciting language that is well-worn and well-heard - for example, 'years, generations of science' would sound impressive in an essay, not a poem. Don't settle for phrases like 'real, but with no proof' that would better belong on the front of a magazine or the side of a bus to some scientific industry.
But yeah, you're writing about science, which is fan-tas-tique