Summary

The poem "To Darwin" reflects on human evolution, the process of change, and the philosophical questions it raises about our existence and identity.

Abstract

"To Darwin" is a contemplative poem that pays homage to Charles Darwin's influence on the understanding of human evolution. It delves into the poet's introspection through poetry, likening it to a form of therapy and meditation. The poem explores the transformative moments in the evolutionary timeline, from Australopithecus to Homo sapiens, highlighting the secular miracle of genetic mutation that leads to species transformation. It acknowledges the role of biochemistry, genetic coding, and incremental incidents over millions of years that have shaped human society. The poet ponders whether early hominids experienced similar emotions and wonder at the natural world, questioning if they too appreciated beauty and grappled with existential thoughts. The poem concludes by emphasizing the mind's dominion over the ephemeral body, and the constant internal struggle between instinct and critique.

Opinions

The poet expresses a deep reverence for Darwin's contributions to the fields of philosophy and biology.
Poetry is presented as a powerful tool for self-discovery and understanding the mysteries of existence.
The moment of species evolution is described with a sense of awe and reverence, as a "secular miracle."
The poem suggests that our modern, "paranoid existence" is the cumulative result of countless microscopic changes over time.
There is a contemplation on whether our ancient ancestors shared similar emotional and aesthetic experiences, such as love for poetry and wonder at natural phenomena.
The poem muses on the dual nature of the human mind, capable of both instinctual and critical thought, likening it to an unsolved puzzle.
The body is portrayed as a mere vessel for the brain, which is in turn governed by the heart, gut, and nervous system.

To Darwin

A poem about human evolution.

O, the grandmaster of philosophy!

And the patron saint of biology!

I recite to thee:

I decoupled myself by performing

the most effective therapy

And the greatest meditation of all: poetry;

To observe my motionless body

In search of the mysteries of lostness,

And the paths to self-identity.

I sought that exact moment

When a species evolves into another:

From an Australopithecus to

Homo Habilis into Homo Erectus to the next.

A minute-by-minute record,

A frame-by-frame snapshot

Of the final changes in

The DNA of an embryo

In the womb of its unwitting

Heidelbergian mother that

Engendered the primeval baby-sapient.

That moment, that precious second of

The mutation is a secular miracle,

A natural yet defiled magical process

Of procreation, survival, and growth,

In pursuit of self-promotion

On this Planet Number X

Of the Galaxy Y. Voila!

Welcome to human society:

At the mercy of biochemistry

And genetic coding over zillions of years.

Each incremental incident

Producing that microscopic change

That all adds up to our paranoid existence.

The flawless scientific logic of trial and error,

Mediated by a handsome dose of coincidence,

Cannibalism, and self-preservation.

But were they, too, the naked, feeble

Hominid ancestors of ours, romantic?

Did they love to rhyme

With the opening words of

Their primitive languages?

Did they observe thunder, rain, and rainbow

With similar bewilderment?

Did they watch the night-sky

And it's billions of stars and

Thought, “Is it, one giant

Piece of hanging net adorned

With gems and diamonds?”?

Or did they know not any

Precious metals and stones?

Did they see their reflections in the water

And amazed at the beauty of the beholder?

Or like me, they, too, saw shabby images,

As though on a mirror, and frowned,

Groaned, mocked, and took pity

On their own souls and self?

Did they, too, comprehend that

This ephemeral body is but a vessel

For the brain: a watery, fatty creature that

Cannot walk or live outside its host?

We are at the mercy

Of that demigod and its

All-powerful courtesans:

The heart, the gut &

The nervous scheme.

But what’s the point of carrying

Around this tangle of neurons?

Oh, the mind, of course!

It is the domicile of the latter,

Which holds in its palms

The twin portions of id

And super-ego:

The constant tug-of-war

Between instinct and critique.

We know not

Which one is poisonous

And which is nourishing.

It is a great unsolved puzzle,

My polymath friend:

They both might be succulent,

Or both equally noxious.

Halifax, 28.06.21