Geology Poetry
"Shall not geology, which is the first science in affording scope for the imagination, be brought into favor with the Muses, and afford themes for the Poet?"
—Edward Hitchcock, Jr., 1849
—Edward Hitchcock, Jr., 1849
Song of a Geologist
"Hammers an' chisels an' a' " goes the chorus of this rousing lyric, penned in the mid-1800s by fossil hunter Robert Dick in guid Scots dialect.
"Hammers an' chisels an' a' " goes the chorus of this rousing lyric, penned in the mid-1800s by fossil hunter Robert Dick in guid Scots dialect.
The Omnificent English Dictionary In Limerick Form
Hundreds of limericks define a world of geological terms on this crazy site, which comes in dirty and clean versions.
Hundreds of limericks define a world of geological terms on this crazy site, which comes in dirty and clean versions.
Poem on the 1653 New England Earthquake
A typical pre-scientific view of earthquakes as divine displeasure with earthly sin.
A typical pre-scientific view of earthquakes as divine displeasure with earthly sin.
Charles Corry: Poetry and Other Musing
Corry, a geophysicist, writes, "Despite the barriers of communication inherent in age, gender, cultures, and location, I would hope that some of my words reach into your mind and touch you gently."
Corry, a geophysicist, writes, "Despite the barriers of communication inherent in age, gender, cultures, and location, I would hope that some of my words reach into your mind and touch you gently."
"Darwin's Moon"
Mitchell Metz mingles metaphors in Malaysia. From the About Poetry site.
Mitchell Metz mingles metaphors in Malaysia. From the About Poetry site.
"The First Ten Million Millennia or So"
Geoscientist Don Anderson published this poem on the history of the universe in Physics Today in 1999. This PDF version, from the mantleplumes.org site, is far more lively and colorful.
Geoscientist Don Anderson published this poem on the history of the universe in Physics Today in 1999. This PDF version, from the mantleplumes.org site, is far more lively and colorful.
"High-Grader from Hades"
Anita Westlake wrote this tongue-in-cheek look at the married rockhounding couple.
Anita Westlake wrote this tongue-in-cheek look at the married rockhounding couple.
Lay of the Trilobite
May Kendall published this poem in 1887, envious of the simple prehistoric life.
May Kendall published this poem in 1887, envious of the simple prehistoric life.
Limestone Magazine
A quirky online poetry magazine from England assumes a karstic structure including sections called Humus, Clints, Grikes and Erratics.
A quirky online poetry magazine from England assumes a karstic structure including sections called Humus, Clints, Grikes and Erratics.
"The Myth of Solid Ground"
David Ulin's 1999 LA Weekly article on earthquake prediction is highly impressionistic, and the better for it. Now this article has been expanded into a whole book.
David Ulin's 1999 LA Weekly article on earthquake prediction is highly impressionistic, and the better for it. Now this article has been expanded into a whole book.
Ode to a Trilobite
Written by Timothy Conrad in 1840, this is thought to be the earliest poem about trilobites.
Written by Timothy Conrad in 1840, this is thought to be the earliest poem about trilobites.
Richard Hayes Phillips
"I love the beauty of a karst / That others find so barren: / I love the pitted, rounded rocks / Etched with rillenkarren"
"I love the beauty of a karst / That others find so barren: / I love the pitted, rounded rocks / Etched with rillenkarren"
"The Plume Soliloquy"
Paul Maddock of the University of London wonders aloud how Hamlet would agonize over the conflicting theories of mantle geochemistry. Fun for graduate students and professors everywhere!
Paul Maddock of the University of London wonders aloud how Hamlet would agonize over the conflicting theories of mantle geochemistry. Fun for graduate students and professors everywhere!
"Quakespotting"
In which your Guide introduces a new sport played with earthquakes.
In which your Guide introduces a new sport played with earthquakes.
Greg Retallack
This University of Oregon geologist publishes poems as well as papers.
This University of Oregon geologist publishes poems as well as papers.
"The Romance of Geology in Russia"
Russian geologists, among other things, launched a poetry movement in the 1960s.
Russian geologists, among other things, launched a poetry movement in the 1960s.
Romantic Natural History
Dickinson College's Ashton Nichols is tracing the tides that flowed between science and humanities in the Romantic era, the generations leading up to Darwin.
Dickinson College's Ashton Nichols is tracing the tides that flowed between science and humanities in the Romantic era, the generations leading up to Darwin.
"Spirit That Form'd This Scene"
Walt Whitman declares his allegiance to the rhythm and rhyme of rocks in a poem I find inexplicably moving.
Walt Whitman declares his allegiance to the rhythm and rhyme of rocks in a poem I find inexplicably moving.