Reading The Age of Wonder,
Surprised to learn how much was known 200 years ago,
More surprised by the shared outlook of science and poetry,
The shared romantic vision, a common sensibility.
This interests me, being a romantic,
No matter that the word may be used to discredit me,
As if it means foolish believer in nonsense,
As if sentiment must be rejected out of hand.
What does it mean to be a romantic?
It is so much bigger than a tendency to fall in love.
It is about feeling a connection with the universe,
A connection with all life, past, present and future.
The astronomer Herschel looked deep into space
Seeing nebulae as far off galaxies, seeing deep time there,
Seeing stars young and old and a dynamic of change,
Nothing like the clerical model of things.
The romantics advocated the scientific method to learn things,
To know the truth, to be set free of superstition.
The poets celebrated this unfolding liberation.
The scientists collaborated even as their nations went to war.
And as I think of what this movement became 100 years later
I think of the science of Marxism as the evolved sensibility
And the striving of Communist organizers to apply that science
Romantically singing the Internationale, “A better world’s in birth.”
So where are we today, another 100 years later?
We respond hopefully to one who promises change.
Science has brought us both wonderful things and horrible things.
There are songs of freedom, songs of struggle to be heard.
The schools still teach “creationism” against the science of evolution.
The world is more than ever divided into a few rich and many poor.
Our civilization destroys life forms and brings global warming.
And yet I’m an optimist. Yes, I’m a romantic.
