The Science Creative Quarterly » gwynethbox

ELLIPTICAL THOUGHTS

gwynethbox — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:00:36 +0000

The lives of parallel lines are uneventful:
no sudden twists or unexpected turns disturb
their single track monotony. And yet they dream
of non-Euclidian space where rules are bent
and of that infinite horizon where, at last, they’ll coincide.

Concentric circles, on the other hand have
no such hyperbolic hope. They know their limitations.
Destined to be solitary cranks, they circumlocate,
make roundabout excuses and observe their fellows
from a distance. They never socialise.

SECONDARY EDUCATION

gwynethbox — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 08:00:17 +0000

Thirty years ago, I failed
at school. Since then, washing lines
and roller blinds have taught me
all I need to know of pulleys
- more than ever Mr Roberts (maths)
was able. I’ve found that sound
is energy, as every tug resisted
turns to squeak.
      I sort the clothes
in sets, but socks still disappear
through worm holes in the wash
or wrap themselves in m??bius chains
(though less so, now I’ve mastered
static electricity and use conditioner).
      No doubt
Miss Jones (domestic science?
history?) would be proud
of my monarchial skills: I can tell
King Edward from William
or Victoria, and I know
the ways they should be served.
I can divide five baking spuds
between six unexpected guests
- the answer is a bowl of mash,
of course, or chips – and Mrs Jones
(biology) would be amazed
at how unfazed I am when faced
with filleting a fish
      3D geometry’s
a snip when pans don’t fit
the recipe – as easy as apple pie -
and scaling up to feed the ever-growing clan
is second nature now. I have acquired
the social skills of any international diplomat
and can prepare four-coloured seating plans
for Christmas – children as buffer states
protect the tribal borders.

All the grandkids moan: they don’t understand
why Nan’s so keen they study hard when she
was such a dunce; but then, it’s only now I realise
how relevant the core curriculum can be.

IN THE DOG HOUSE

gwynethbox — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:00:42 +0000

My Very Excellent Mother used to be
the soul of generosity, and her beneficence
a universally-acknowledged truth.
Around the world, students rejoiced
when they recalled that she
Just Sent Us Nine Pizzas.

But as time passes, so it seems, the universe
contracts; mom’s liberality is capped and scientists
decree that students will make do with
Nothing.
Supperless
I’m banished to my room. I must redo
my fourth grade science project.

BUBBLES

gwynethbox — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 08:00:55 +0000

The bubbles in my bath are white;
try as I might
they never change
despite a range
of gels and goos in rainbow hues -
pinks, greens and blues.

The chemists say
it’s child’s play
to reproduce the scent of fruits,
herbs, flowers and roots.

But still the foam
is monochrome.