The Writing Stick

Summary

A child's reflective poem honors Archimedes' legacy and the profound connection between nature's cycles and human creativity, symbolized by a stick drawing circles in the sand.

Abstract

The poem, written by a young R Tsambounieri Talarantas, recounts a childhood memory of learning about Archimedes and his tragic death. The author describes drawing circles in the sand, a metaphor for the cycles of life and knowledge, and an encounter with the spirit of Archimedes, who encourages the drawing of circles closer to the roaring waves. This symbolic act represents embracing challenges to learn and teach. The poem emphasizes the interplay between the sea (life), the circles (mankind), and the stick (the tool of writing and history-making), suggesting that understanding these elements is crucial for writing one's history. The author reflects on the senseless loss of Archimedes' brilliance and the inspiration drawn from his story.

Opinions

The author expresses a profound sense of loss over Archimedes' death, considering it a senseless act against a great mind.
The poem conveys a deep respect for the wisdom of Archimedes and the lessons he represents, particularly the importance of learning from nature's cycles.
The sea and the circles are personified, with the sea representing life and the circles symbolizing mankind's journey and interconnectedness.
The stick is elevated to the status of a mighty pen, highlighting the power of writing and intellectual pursuit in shaping history.
The author acknowledges the inevitability of challenges and the importance of facing them ("where there is doom") to grow and create.
The poem suggests that true understanding and the ability to write history come from experiencing life's complexities, including its dangers and beauty.

Circles In Sand

The circle’s round — drawn in the sand — the waves reverse, they are unconcerned

I draw the circle’s in the sand — a shadow lands besides my head

It’s Archimedes — with a stick, “ What’s this you draw?”, he asks of me

“It is a circle in the sand — connecting loops — like man, like man”

“It’s incorrect — this loop you draw, go closer where the waves will roar”

“The waves will roar, above the din, why should I draw where there is doom?”

“How else to learn, to teach, don’t preach— but from the seas, the circles and the writing stick”

I marvel at these sorts of things, as I sit and draw by the perilous sea

“The waves will roar, your circles drown, the stick your aid — lift you from the ground

Without the circles and the seas, you cannot write our history

The sea is life, the circles man, the stick the quill — the mighty pen”

Again I marvel at these complex things, the seas and circles, the floating twig

The menace looms, the circles die, the seas will flow — and the stick shall write.

I was leafing through some of my writing and I came across this poem I wrote. I believe I was no more then ten years old at the time. As I reread it I envisioned that day. I was reading about Archimedes and his infamous circles — “Do not disturb my circles (μή μου τους κύκλους τάραττε) just before he was killed by a Roman soldier, as accounted by Plutarch. I remember feeling saddened by the senseless murder of such a brilliant mind, which led me to write this little poem in his honour.