Beyond String Theory

Joyce Brinkman

 

Hawking now tells us

the universe rests on string.

 

No,

not resting, but

bouncing, vibrating, even

singing, I suppose.

 

Doubting Thomas that I am,

I don't accept this theory.

It's not string that holds

the universe together.

It's ribbon.

Luminous strands

of ribbon.

 

Some are magenta.

And turquoise and brown.

Some with loops at their edges.

 

The scalloped ones make up the sea.

The metallic ones fashion the stars.

 

And did you see the purple ones

dance in the eyes of the one who

gave you your first kiss?

 

I've known it since when

for a nickel a yard,

from the large glass counter,

I eagerly chose

the one I would wear in my hair.

 

I have never spun it into

a theory, but ribbon is the stuff

that holds up your hair,

and your heart,

and the universe.


 

 

Copyright 2007 by the Tipton Poetry Journal.

All rights remain the exclusive property of the individual poet and may not be used without their permission.

 

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