Rhyme and Reason: Poetry Inspired by Science

By Kate Rauner

Expanded 2nd edition. A collection of short poems in rhyme; Inspired all by science; Outward to the edge of time; Or tied to earthly cadence. Light and written all for fun, There is no angst to hide. You're invited now to sample One of my poems inside. These poems were inspired by Richard Feynman, who said “Poets say science takes away from the beauty of the stars – mere globs of gas atoms. I too can see the stars on a desert night, and feel them. But do I see less or more?" I favor rhyme and short phrases in my poems. These match a poem to the rhythm of my steps, which is inevitable since I frequently compose while walking. I also enjoy the discipline that rhyme imposes. It pleases my analytical mind when the perfect word presents itself, fitting both the poem’s subject and its form. My poems are meant to be fun. You will find no existential angst here. Writing poetry makes me happy, and I hope you’ll share a bit of my happiness as you read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate Rauner
• Release date: May 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311550064

Kate Rauner

Kate Rauner, Hanover, New Mexico, USAA science fiction writer, poet, firefighter, and engineer on the way to becoming an eccentric old woman.I write science fiction novels and science-inspired poetry, and serve as a volunteer firefighter. I'm also a retired environmental engineer and Cold War Warrior (honestly, that's what Congress called us) because I worked in America's nuclear weapons complex. Now living on the edge of the southwest's Gila National Forest with my husband, cats, llamas, and dog, I'm well on my way to achieving my life-goal of becoming an eccentric old woman.Find more and contact me at https://kateraunerauthor.wordpress.com/

Book preview

Rhyme and Reason

Poetry Inspired by Science

By Kate Rauner

Copyright 2013, 2017

2nd Edition

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Poet's Note

Poets say science takes away from the beauty of the stars – mere globs of gas atoms. I too can see the stars on a desert night, and feel them. But do I see less or more? The vastness of the heavens stretches my imagination – stuck on this carousel my little eye can catch one-million-year-old light. A vast pattern - of which I am a part… What is the pattern, or the meaning, or the why? It does not do harm to the mystery to know a little about it. For far more marvelous is the truth than any artists of the past imagined it. Why do the poets of the present not speak of it? What men are poets who can speak of Jupiter if he were a man, but if he is an immense spinning sphere of methane and ammonia must be silent? Richard Feynman

Richard Feynman was one of the most important physicists of the 20th Century; certainly he was the most interesting. I take his words as a challenge to poets everywhere. This book collects some of the poems I wrote to meet his challenge and write poems inspired by science.

I favor rhyme and short phrases in my poems. These match a poem to the rhythm of my steps, which is inevitable since I frequently compose while walking. I also enjoy the discipline that rhyme imposes. It pleases my analytical mind when the perfect word presents itself, fitting both the poem’s subject and its form.

My poems are meant to be fun. You will find no existential angst here. Writing poetry makes me happy, and I hope you’ll share a bit of my happiness as you read.

These poems have all appeared previously on my blog: http://katerauner.wordpress.com, though many were revised for this book. You may read my latest efforts there along with posts about my science fiction books and thoughts on science news. I look forward to your visits and your comments. -- Kate

Table of Contents

Poet's Note

Physics

Astronomy and Space

Biology

Environment

Learning

Final Thought

Also by Kate Rauner

About the Poet

Links in This Book

Connect With Kate

Copyright

Physics

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