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Of Saltpeter and Soul

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Chemistry is often considered the central science - the bridge between the physical (dead) sciences and biological (life) sciences; as such, this is the field that can be most easily used for healing or destruction, depending on how you use them (although if you're Fritz Haber, you might achieve both).

Saltpeter (potassium nitrate), a compound traditionally used in both medicine and gunpowder, becomes an embodiment of this tension.

Meanwhile, merchants are often cast into a bad light by media stereotype, but their wealth can in fact do a lot of good. Whether this good "redeems" the negative impact their business might have, or whether a business's less than savoury dealings corrupts good intentions, is a question that may escape easy answers.


At first, I wrote this poem with a specific historical figure in mind: Konishi Ryusa, a medicine wholesaler from 16th century Japan who specializes in saltpeter. A Christian convert, he's widely praised by Jesuits for his generosity, but because he lived in the Warring States Period, much of his wealth and influence came from patronage by influential warlords (particularly Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi) who would purchase his wares for war purposes. However, I decided to make the poem more archetypical.


 

A line like serpent coiled round the saltpeter cart Hoping to purchase health and healing, or Gunfire spark The merchant—a vendor of virtue/vice His ware—a white wonder of alchemical craft Dancing in light and dark He brokers that which bridges life and death The sales of arms secretly sent for alms... Betwixt his quiet, a question mark

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




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Date: 7/26/2025 6:28:00 AM
Excellent poem tackles science and trade, emphasizing on ethical struggles of how drugs can heal and destroy. It depicts the ambiguity of merchants who sell items with both good and bad effects. Appreciate your comment and visit to my page.
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Date: 7/25/2025 11:49:00 PM
Really cool concept—love how the merchant and saltpeter represent both healing and harm. That last line leaves a strong impression!
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Date: 7/12/2025 7:37:00 AM
Vanya, this prose/poetry piece is very informative~~with a relatable theme, touching on the the questions that often surround motives and outcomes. Janice
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Vanya Evangeline
Date: 7/14/2025 4:12:00 AM
Thanks Janice. I always thought that one of poetry's main purposes is provoke thought, particularly regarding complex moral ideas.
Date: 7/11/2025 9:59:00 PM
This is quite interesting. Thanks as well for historical context.
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Vanya Evangeline
Date: 7/14/2025 4:02:00 AM
Thanks, Richard. Always glad for the opportunity to weave in history in poetry.
Date: 7/8/2025 1:08:00 PM
Complex thoughts perfectly penned. I am thankful though for the explanatiory intro!
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Vanya Evangeline
Date: 7/9/2025 5:30:00 AM
Thank you so much, Andrea. I think I may have attempted to cram too much ideas into this, haha. Hopefully, the poem itself is still understandable without the extensive notes.

Book: Reflection on the Important Things