Poetry of Science

Kelley explained that she had formulated her ideas for her Darwin inspired poetry during her University course in the USA.  She read English and Creative Writing but also took the opportunity to study a number of science courses and was encouraged by an environmentally-minded supervisor to write poetry inspired by science.  Kelley reflected that her poetry is also inspired by her experiences working in the field, studying grey whales in Mexico, working in Killarney National Park and many hours spent dissecting sea scallops.  These, together with her  study of Darwin’s life led her to publish within a genre she has termed “Science Poetry” in which the poet must really understand the science behind their writing rather than using the science purely as a metaphor.

Before reading some of her own poems, Kelley read a trio of poems by other authors, which she also classed as “science poetry”.  She emphasised how Geological Child by Richard Tyrone Jones contains obvious geological terminology throughout and evidence of discussion of evolution and an interaction with a Darwinian world.  Filaments by Talvikki Ansel transports the reader from a literal view of Volvox to a telescopic viewing of the constellations and also makes reference to evolution and extinction whilst, Kelley explained, Wodwo by Ted Hughes presents the argument of creation versus the evolution of humanity.  All three poems, Kelley suggested, represent science poetry rather than nature poetry, incorporating an understanding of scientific ideas rather than pure observation.

Kelley then read a selection of her own work from her book Darwin’s Microscope.  She began with a poem entitled Fossil Memories in which she questions what is being celebrated in this two hundredth-anniversary year.  Kelley commented that she feels that many people do not realise the significant impact of Darwin’s work.  Her poem explores Darwin’s humanity, his nervous nature and his life as a family man.  Following her reading of The Unsettling of Dunes Kelley outlined her main aims, scientific accuracy and poetic integrity.  She reflected that other poets had been inspired by naturalists, including Wordsworth and Tennyson; the intermixing of science and poetry occurs but many people still view the two disciplines as entirely separate.

Much of Kelley’s poetry – e.g. What the Toad Said, In the Lab  and Mating of the Silkworm Moth stems from her experience of science, both in the laboratory and in the field; she incorporates areas of her studies, dissections, and observations made whilst travelling.  Following the reading of these poems, Kelley concluded that poetry provides a means by which people with no scientific training can understand and appreciate science. 

The meeting opened into a wide-ranging and lively discussion of topics including how to incorporate the procedural aspects of science into poetry, the existence of a boundary between science and the possible use of art in teaching science students to be more creative.  The President announced future meetings of the Society and the meeting adjourned for a reception in the library.