Science and the Poet

by

Frank X. Roberts

An adequate assumption of human existence must be sought in the ordinary use of language in the humanistic sciences, and in poetry—not in the natural sciences.

T. Bergstein, Quantum Physics and Ordinary Language

Is it a wave or a particle
This sunlight on my window sill;
Does it descend to brush my hand,
Or surround it with a tiny band
Of electrons all in a martial row;
Does it dance, or does it flow?
The answer, it seems, quite depends
On current scientific trends;
The question is asked, answered, driven
Into a corner, and another given.
The Poet watches Science vast
Trying to make the answer fast.
The answer comes but will not stay,
So it's attacked another way;
Finding the answer won't help a bit,
You take the question and double it.
But all this gives is matter so small,
It really doesn't matter at all.
The Poet smiles (while scientists grieve)
Such uncertainty he must leave;
Deciding (Science feels it's a bore)
To ask the question in metaphor.
So, not to appear a numerate dunce,
Waving he parts by two doors at once.
 

Frank's extensive career in teaching and librarianship began when he taught English in the U.S. From 1961 to 1963, as part of a Columbia University program called “Teachers for East Africa,” he taught English and American Literature in East Africa. There he met his wife, Dorothy. They returned to the U.S. where he simultaneously taught and finished two Masters’ degrees, in Education and in Librarianship. In 1968 they returned to England where Frank taught Library Studies, and adopted Hodge, a cat who later traveled around the world with them. In 1972, Frank was “seconded” for two years to teach at Makerere University in Uganda, East Africa, but left reluctantly after one year when the tyranny of Idi Amin became intolerable. From there it was back to England, then Australia and finally  to America in 1979, to Buffalo where Frank earned his doctorate. Later they moved to Colorado, where he was Professor of Library Studies at the University of Northern Colorado until retiring in 1997. Frank published James A. Michener: A Checklist of his Work with a Selected Annotated Bibliography (Greenwood Press) in 1995. He has written on bookmarks, specifically on medieval bookmarks, his special area of interest. A poet by avocation, he writes eclectically but traditionally. Frank and Dorothy live in Colorado with two very senior citizens of the feline persuasion. He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it