Collecting poems: A Universe of atoms, an atom in the Universe.

There are the rushing waves 
mountains of molecules 
each stupidly minding its own business 
trillions apart 
yet forming white surf in unison. 

Ages on ages 
before any eyes could see 
year after year 
thunderously pounding the shore as now. 
For whom, for what? 
On a dead planet 
with no life to entertain. 

Never at rest 
tortured by energy 
wasted prodigiously by the sun 
poured into space 
A mite makes the sea roar. 

Deep in the sea 
all molecules repeat 
the patterns of one another 
till complex new ones are formed. 
They make others like themselves 
and a new dance starts. 

Growing in size and complexity 
living things 
masses of atoms 
DNA, protein 
dancing a pattern ever more intricate. 

Out of the cradle 
onto dry land 
here it is 
standing: 
atoms with consciousness; 
matter with curiosity. 

Stands at the sea, 
wonders at wondering: I 
a universe of atoms 
an atom in the universe.

-Richard P. Feynman