Degradation

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"Life therefore appears to be a revolt against the rules of Nature. Life is a paradox …. The most basic rule of inanimate nature is that it tends toward equilibrium which is at the maximum of entropy (i.e. disorder) and the minimum of free energy. Life goes against this trend …..the main characteristic of life is that it tends to decrease its entropy. (builds and maintains structure and order). Life also tends to increase its free energy. Maximum entropy means complete randomness, disorder. Life is made possible by order structure, a pattern, which is the opposite of entropy. This pattern is our chief possession, it was developed over billions of years. The main aim of our individual existence is its conservation and transmission.” WHAT IS LIFE? by Erwin Shrödinger First published in 1944.

planet water

Listen to poem:
Life revolts against 
the fundamental law of Nature
for all things to inevitably degrade
to maximum disorder, entropy
with minimum free energy.

Life builds structure and order
against the trend
and needs to capture 
and burn energy continually
to maintain its form and existence
against the ravages
of entropy and decay.

To survive living things must
conserve themselves, 
transmit their seed 
to new generations
and develop more successful
forms in a continuum.

Once the chain of transmission
is broken, the life form
degrades to dust,
and ceases to exist, 
a dangling, fleeting species gone forever.

Life is an enigma, a peculiar chemistry,
a rebel against the laws of nature
fighting for the survival of its disparity
to avoid its inevitable degradation,
for now.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021



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Date: 10/9/2021 10:15:00 PM
Great writing. Many points for reflection. Congratulations!
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Anderson Avatar
John Anderson
Date: 10/13/2021 11:43:00 AM
Thanks for you kind words. Cheers
Date: 10/9/2021 9:44:00 AM
Congratulations on your winning write, John.
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Anderson Avatar
John Anderson
Date: 10/9/2021 2:50:00 PM
Thanks very much, Best Wishes
Date: 10/9/2021 8:53:00 AM
Congratulations on your win in my contest with this awesome poem, John:-) Peace and love.
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Anderson Avatar
John Anderson
Date: 10/9/2021 2:50:00 PM
WOW, thanks
Date: 9/19/2021 4:28:00 PM
Well written; excellent write! Of course, if one adds into the mix, the notion that, life is illusion of consciousness, and intelligent, eternal spirit is behind physical manifestation...then much more we are able to understand, and logically explain.
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Dimino Avatar
Joe Dimino
Date: 9/19/2021 5:31:00 PM
Well, as a realist then...how can something be opposed to Nature when obviously in it, and therefore part of it? Just asking.
Anderson Avatar
John Anderson
Date: 9/19/2021 5:17:00 PM
Thanks for your comment. I am a realist and your logic is beyond me. Cheers
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