Pharyngula: I think I shall never clickOn a poem as lovely as Tiktaalik

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PZ Myers is a biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris.
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« Pig pile on Robert Bazell! | Main | Seminal influences »

I think I shall never click
On a poem as lovely as Tiktaalik

Category: Art • Fossils • Science
Posted on: May 24, 2006 1:49 PM, by PZ Myers

I saw it first at Virge's place, but Mike Snider is also on the blogroll and I would have gotten to it eventually…but hey, if you're a fan of fossil tetrapods and poetry, here's a treat: a Tiktaalik sonnet. You can also view some drafts of its construction, which is developmentally interesting, I think, and not quite as messy as chopping up embryos.

I think my title reveals why I'll leave the poesy to the pros.

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Comments

Nice! Tiktaalik sonnet. How about an Ode to Acanthostega, or Ichtyostega Blues? Something for those more musical than me to think on...

Posted by: Y.B | May 24, 2006 2:11 PM

Thanks for the kind words and link, PZ. Now--are there pro poets?

Y B--there is a Devonian Blues music video here.

Posted by: Mike Snider | May 24, 2006 4:16 PM

Yes, there are pro poets.

Ther is even an offical poet in England.
The Poet Laureate.
Their official job is to write odes for the crown.
But, usually the job is given to the person thought to be the best living English poet.
As you might imagine, there have been disasters (Alfred Austin)
And at least one person who was worthy turned the job down, as although mixing with the highest in any society, he refused all honours except the Nobel Prize - can you guess who?
But there have been brilliant selections - John Masefield, and John Betjeman were both excellent.
The current guy, Andrew Motion isn't bad.

Posted by: G. Tingey | May 25, 2006 2:55 AM

The lyrical alchemist knows
That transmuting his words to cash flows...

Living on Poetry

Posted by: Virge | May 25, 2006 7:51 AM

There's a few good evolutionary biology poems out there.

Posted by: Nic | May 25, 2006 10:11 PM

How about an Ode to Acanthostega, or Ichtyostega Blues?

Theres this Bob Dylan poem that makes reference to Acantostega:

http://shadowspassing.blogspot.com/2006/12/lobe-finned-fishes-arose-four-footed.html

Posted by: alanis | December 22, 2006 4:52 PM