"The Quest - A Poet's Search for Meaning in the Age of Science" by George Ames (ISBN1 85821 512 9 - Hdbk, £12.50, 2.10pp, 1997, The Pentland Press). A model of science with a poetic soul and of discursive, philosophical poetry for the new age.
“A prudent question is one half of wisdom.” Francis Bacon
The Quest looks for answers to three fundamental questions - What is Truth?, What is Man? and Who am I? Avoiding dogmatism and existential doubt, the Muse nimbly negotiates each logical step.
Let’s take a poem from Book 1 (“What is Truth?”) as an example: “When Microbes Wink”(p.41). Here I explored the image of the luminous dead microbes seen under an epifluorescence microscope to suggest truths about the relationship between the observer and the observed.
'The Quest', by George Ames, is a collection of exploratory verse, seeking to uncover the under-lying truths and inner humanity of a person trying to survive in an ever-changing world.
As a Scientist and Philosopher, the author's 'Quest' embarks on a journey to examine his knowledge before trying to equate its validity through verse, towards the enrichment of the soul.
The role of a Scientist has always been the search for uncovering material answers and the role of the great Poet has always been the search for the truth that is within - the soul. Together these two ingredients show the true direction that poetry should take in the coming Millennium. It will be a time when poetry will flourish again." (“Partners’ Writing Group”)
Welcome to Poet on a Quest Website
The Lab Scientist is saying:
‘Don’t come into my laboratory, Maude,
Or let Junior tug at my coat!
Who knows if he will be awed
By this bird I hold by the throat
In this test, with a scientific ring,
To see how he spreads his wing?’
How does his echo reply?