Notes About The Poem

 "An estimated 100 trillion neutrinos pass through each of us every second," Michael Pravica, a professor of physics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The Right One

There are not enough digits in the whole round world
To count the neutrinos passing through a finger

But they don't stop to look around, examining what might be found
Should they decide to rest there, then to linger

Passing through's their raison d'etre, no end point that we know, and yet
There must be reason in this right of passage

The toll on us pays out in years, not Tacitus, nor any peers
Could measure or record their age or message

We count on other things and so we measure what will come and go
Trying to decide just what things matter

We hope we might luck out and capture what removes all doubt
Distinguishing the former from the latter 

We think that measure's down to science, sure that there is some reliance
In knowing that we have the right to question

But knowing just which question's right's a question of our own insight
Which should lead us from suspicion to suggestion

Should we capture one of those little guys, passing through our eyes and skies
And shrink ourselves down to the size where we could ask a question

What question could we ask that might just be the one that leads us right
To conquering our mental indiscretion

The answers to life's mysteries are not all found in histories 
Learn from them, don't be numbed by their suppression
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Be the first to comment on this poem. Encourage this poet.

Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace