Poetry

Katrina Kostro

First Day of Chemistry

In Lecture 1 of General Chemistry
I learned the Law of Conservation of
that upper-case fifth letter known as “E” —
yes, Energy, fierce three-pronged deity,
states purely: energy can neither be
created nor destroyed. Powers above
swing lightening speed but cannot sway Big E.
That is to say, the total energy
of the entire universe is constant.
Take for example: diver at the board.
Potential E – stands ready to jump off.
Kinetic E – dives toward cold liquid depths.
Then Thermal E – smooth ripple waves resound.
Today this is the theory that I found.

Chiral Sonnet

     Inspired by Paula Bruice and Maryellen Nerz-Stormes, Ph.D.’s in Organic Chemistry

Derived from Greek word, cheir: your hand — right there.
Right-handed things, left-handed things are chiral.
Can right foot fit in left shoe? (Sit in chair.)
Does left glove slide on right hand? (Draw a spiral.)
Your right hand in the mirror is a left hand.
My left ear in the mirror is a right ear.
So, mirror images do not show pure brand —
reflections: not the same as self — right here.
In contrast, take your chair: its mirror image
is just the same as simple sheets of wood
upon which studious tushes park and scrimmage.
The chair’s achiral. Mirrors understood.
Mark asymmetric center — chiral’s cause.
Four sigma bonds find carbon — stereo laws.