In recent months mariner has passed time reading around in the sciences. There is a much debated concept in quantum physics called the ‘string theory’. It never seems to get settled primarily because it is a theory. The theory is about how things come together in the Universe, supposedly one batch of atoms meets up with another kind of string and something happens. His metaphor is a three-year-old child (the energy string) and a floor spread with small, different shaped beads the child uses to make endless bracelets.

Several years ago, mariner’s wife wrote a poem about string theory. He knows her fans are eager to read it. Forthwith:

String Theory

I do not know how the world works,
Even in the smallest detail–
Not sure how the sun and moon revolve
among the galaxies
Not sure what an atom is.
But like the physicists,
I have my own string theory:

Given any two strings of anything–
Christmas tree lights, extension cords, necklaces–
Any two strings of anything will entangle themselves
in more intricate knots than any you could ever tie
if you tried.

There seems to be a force at work that seeks entanglement
and is not content to let two strings lie quietly side by side.
Maybe that is the way the world works–
Even among the galaxies, even among the atoms–
Everything,  always,  seeking connection.

MKM

8-17-2016