The Theory of Everything
by
Leslie Bulion
Loopity, whippity,
Such supersymmetry,
Forces and matter are
Built from one thing.
Making our universe
Extra-dimensional,
Singing with grace notes from
Vibrating string.
Science Note:
According to string theory, also known as “the theory of everything,” every particle in the universe, and even forces like gravity, are made from infinitesimally small loops. These loops wiggle and vibrate in extra dimensions we can’t really imagine, but can only explain with physics and math. Strings are thought to be the building blocks of all matter and energy, and how they wiggle determines whether they’re a quark in a carbon atom or whether they’re a photon of light!
© Leslie Bulion. All rights reserved.
One of my favorite things about hosting 30 Poets/30 Days is that I never know what I'm going to see as poems start coming in. I love the surprises in form. I get excited by the subjects. And when
Leslie Bulion sent me a poem about string theory (and a double dactyl, at that!), well, I did a big old happy dance. Wordplay and cool science in one poem makes my geeky heart skip a beat, I tell you. To make things better still, Leslie wrote this poem based on her upcoming middle grade novel,
The Universe of Fair (coming in August from Peachtree). Can you guess who's looking forward to reading that? Can ya? Can ya? (All those who guessed "Greg" can stay after class and help clean up the comments.)
In Leslie's last poetry collection,
At the Sea Floor Cafe (Odd Ocean Critter Poems), there was a similarly excellent mix of facts, fun, and form. To me, this mix is always a winning one... and when I've read the book with kids, I've discovered that, in fact, it's not just me who sees it that way. I'm looking forward to her novel, more poems on string theory, and whatever else Leslie Bulion throws our way... and I'm thrilled to have her here at GottaBook today as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.
Yesterday,
Ellen Hopkins brought us
Small Surprises. Tomorrow...
Ed DeCaria offers up
Something Sweet! For more on 30 Poets/30 Days and ways to follow along,
please click here.
8 comments:
Love this! Mixing science and poetry is one of my favorite things, and this poem does it in an excellent way! Yay, Leslie! Thanks for bringing this our way, Greg!
I love the idea of string theory anyway, but to imagine it vibrating like a stringed instrument makes me happier still.
Leslie,
I love double dactyls--and yours is an excellent one! Like Laura, I also love integrating poetry and science.
Heady science, creative wordplay, a lovely nod to music - Bravo! Thanks for sharing, Greg and Leslie.
Love this, Leslie and Greg!
There is something so bouncy about a double dactyl, and this one is such fun in the mouth that you almost don't know you're learning something! I look forward to Leslie's new book ('will surprise my science teacher hubby with it!) Thank you, both of you, for this post! a.
Love fact oems - I write them myself - FABULOUS!
Double Dactyls rule, so does Leslie Bulion!
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