To Write A Theory
How wondrously wonderful to write a theory –
To crack open a mystery, let the insides pop
Into the air; me grasping, swiping at beauty
With the net of my frameworks, hypotheses;
Hidden wisdom flowing all over my desk, drip,
Drip, dripping over the edge, me on my knees
Trying to catch the pearls with my tongue, my pen.
Oh how deliciously delicious that day would be,
To write a theory, to have that much to say.
Author’s note:
‘The poem somewhat flippantly expresses what I believe to be a sincere desire among academic researchers to “crack open a mystery” in their work regardless of their area of research. I believe that this profound act of developing a theory that gives humanity insight into the physical or social world is a pursuit of “beauty” that requires wonder and humility (“on my knees”) for it is a privilege to have wisdom revealed to us.’
Athol Williams is an MPhil student in Political Theory at Hertford College
