Atoms with Consciousness, Matter with Curiosity

An amazing piece written by physicist Richard Feynman describing the thoughts of a human being.

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.