Proof

For Poetry Thursday

We were invited to write a poem using the language of science. It was suggested fro instance that we start with the formula "let x equal".

My response is a little different. My first encounter with scientific method was in the later years of primary school, when we did small experiments with titles like "How do we know that air exists?". This is when I was introduced to the methodical setting out of experiments in sections. As far as I recall, they were titled "to show", "method", "results" and "conclusion". For some reason this is what first made me fall in love with science.

So, here is my rough draft of a poem based on those four sections:

Proof

To show:
that the (he)art
and love
in spring and the moon
in June
or any other time makes the world go
round or
square or any other
shape

Method:
If there is any since love
is not methodical but
if love be madness
there may yet be method in it

Results:
If love is not blind then
at least it produces
hallucinations of perfection
temporary amnesia
possibly followed by small irritations
assuming unreasonable proportions
and an inevitable cooling which is not measurable
with a thermometer

Conclusion:
which is what we have learnt
(nothing)
or alternatively which is an end
at least until the next time
when it all starts again.