Nature Never Throws Anything Away Poem by Sidi Mahtrow

Energetics

Energetic of a single electron
A family of electrons swarm
About a complex molecule
A storehouse of energy (ATP) .

This energy rich molecule
On the pathway to one more stable
A resting state in the universe
To be reduced, one electron at a time (ADP) .

The Bird

A bird, moves with a jerking motion
Legs propelling in search of food
Neck and legs in unison
But all from a single electron's movement.

The Piss Ant

An ant, minuscule by comparison
Moves with distinction
All six legs propelling
It on its way.

The same motive force.


The Flagella

Flagella on a bacteria
Waving in a coordinated fashion
Propelling to another environment
Seeking nourishment.

A single electron "e".

On Thought

Information, stored in RNA
To be retrieved by movement of a single electron
Propelled along a pathway
Much like Edison's recording device


Assisted in translation by a metal dagger
Flitting along the massive structure
Of nucleotides.
Selenium.

(And we begin to understand and try to measure movement of a single electron with tools incapable of detecting One.)


On Memory

An octopus
Seeing an outstretched hand
Liken to one of its own
A large body with attached tentacles?

It greets, taste, and remembers
In the future
When it encounters
It is social.

(Nature never throws anything away, It's RNA and DNA.)