Poem About DNA

Poem About DNA

February 15, 2013 My Poetry Writing 10

Been awhile since I posted a poem on here.  Hope you like it.

DNA

Today I opened a strand of DNA
And watched it unfurl in a ladder of limitless possibilities
And I wondered why such a miraculous cosmic orchestration of atoms and energy
Is used to knit together the molecules
Of one confused girl in Eeyore pajamas
Wondering whether she has eaten too much chocolate
And waiting for her man to call.
Seriously, it seems excessive,
Like using Bach as a composer for an orchestra of kazoos.

The almost unbelievably unbounded complexity of life, the energy of the stars, the mitochondria and the galaxies,
Swirling around me, creating me— and for what?
So I can burn my sandwich in the toaster oven?
So I can forget to charge my iPhone?
So I can mourn the cancellation of the pumpkin-flavored latte?

Is that why you created me, God
So I could do those things?
It seems like a lot of effort to very little purpose

Or maybe you created me so I could feel wistful
When I hear the panhandler who plays those haunting pipes
Beside the Montgomery street subway entrance,
Or maybe you created me to be there for certain very specific people
Who wouldn’t be the same without me,
Or maybe you imbued me with consciousness because
The universe needed to be noticed
And admired
Like a secret
Too good
Not to share

 

10 Responses

  1. Drex01 says:

    Well for what it’s worth I really liked it especially the ending

  2. jamie says:

    excellent. i know the pipes at montgomery and i’m good for a couple of bucks most times. very nice, thank you for creating this.

  3. Jay says:

    It made my heart sing.

  4. Much better than “He works in mysterious ways”. :^)

  5. kap2406 says:

    I like this a lot. And I am generally fairly critical when it comes to poetry. =) Some really cool images and I love the juxtaposition (using big girl words now, watch out) of the wonders of the universe with the realities of the everyday. Good stuff. I miss you, I hope life is treating you well!

  6. nobledog@aol.com says:

    I love the last line…

    Char, this is one of your best.

    Grandma Marjorie

  7. Ron Weisberg says:

    I like your poem. May I read it to my book club tonight (5/23)? We are discussing “The Violinist’s Thumb” a study of DNA. Thank you.

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