Darwin, Science and other...

I believe it is approaching the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin's Origins of Species. Many people have argued over Mr D.'s findings. Many have quoted him or the bible to justify their points. Here I present a poem that I wrote following an exhibition at my local museum in Plymouth, UK, which displayed pickled marine specimens collected by Victorian natural historians. I'd be interested to know what people think, feel free to comment or contact me.

Reflections On A Collection of Pickled Specimens

Part 1

Men of affairs, scientists, gentlemen collectors,

Researchers, technicians, plankton detectors.

Ladies, when permitted, provided manful help

Wading shorelines intrepidly for variegated kelp.

Knowing their names, seeking their protection.

Categorised, specified, a literal dissection.

Must each specimen elders plucked, and carefully selected,

be hidden forever, politically corrected?

Part 2

Bewhiskered men off charted shores their Science to be applied.

From blindest depths defy stern jaws to reveal a great divide.

Thus predate all faith - shift their cores – expecting the spring tide.

Dead-eyed and soaked, lost in each jar. Pickled in formaldehyde.

Forgotten lives compressed and bizarre

pinned on Time's lantern-slide.

Gentlemen? Killers? The choice is yours,

Think well before you decide.