Polar Coordinates
Take an angle labeled theta and a radius called r:
They teach not only trigonometry. (I know, it seems bizarre.)
Theta is the gap between the eye’s line towards the wishing-star,
And hard reality’s unswerving path, so fittingly called r.
Theta always measures constant, but go down the length of r
And soon the span subtending theta grows immeasurably far.
Set r to t and now you see how where we aimed and where we are
Grow ever distant though they once met at the origin of r.
Thus the smallest theta starts divergence that will course afar,
Soon infinitely out of reach as time relentlessly tracks r.
Adam Sedia (b. 1984) lives in his native Northwest Indiana and practices law as a civil and appellate litigator. He has published four books of poetry and his poems, essays, and fiction have appeared in various literary journals. He is also a composer, and his musical works may be heard on his YouTube channel.
How elegantly have you expressed the math explanation in your couplets, Adam. In the second couplet, you deftly unite wonder and science (“wishing-star” and “hard reality’s unswerving path”). This unity and the single end-rhyme and one internal rhyme create a peaceful poem.