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Darwin's Microscope
This collection reflects the life and influence of Charles Darwin. Swain uses the microscopic 'lens' as a metaphor for viewing the world with secular wonder, revealing greater meaning in looking deeper - even to the cellular level.
- GenresPoetry
71 pages
First published January 1, 2009
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About the author
Kelley Swain
11 books14 followersKelley Swain lives in rural Oxfordshire. She is a freelance writer and critic, and contributes regularly to The Lancet medical journals' arts and culture pages.
In 2016, she was one of three poets-in-residence at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and was artist-in-residence at Duke University for November 2016.
The Naked Muse, Kelley's memoir of working as an artists' model, was published in 2016.
Kelley was Guest Lecturer in Humanities in Global Health for three years, at Imperial College London.
She is the author of the poetry collections Atlantic (Cinnamon Press, 2014), Opera di Cera (Valley Press, 2014), Darwin's Microscope (Flambard Press, 2009). Her debut novel, Double the Stars, was by Cinnamon Press in September 2014.
From 2009 - 2012, while poet-in-residence at the Whipple Museum of the History of Science in the Department of the History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge, Kelley edited two collections of art and poetry: Pocket Horizon (Valley Press, 2013), and The Rules of Form: Sonnets and Slide Rules (Whipple Museum, 2012).
She is a member of the Greenwich-based Nevada Street Poets, which has been running since 2008.
In 2016, she was one of three poets-in-residence at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and was artist-in-residence at Duke University for November 2016.
The Naked Muse, Kelley's memoir of working as an artists' model, was published in 2016.
Kelley was Guest Lecturer in Humanities in Global Health for three years, at Imperial College London.
She is the author of the poetry collections Atlantic (Cinnamon Press, 2014), Opera di Cera (Valley Press, 2014), Darwin's Microscope (Flambard Press, 2009). Her debut novel, Double the Stars, was by Cinnamon Press in September 2014.
From 2009 - 2012, while poet-in-residence at the Whipple Museum of the History of Science in the Department of the History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge, Kelley edited two collections of art and poetry: Pocket Horizon (Valley Press, 2013), and The Rules of Form: Sonnets and Slide Rules (Whipple Museum, 2012).
She is a member of the Greenwich-based Nevada Street Poets, which has been running since 2008.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 6, 2024
Another random charity shop find and read for the Sealy Challenge, but, hooley dooley, did I enjoy this so much more than the last one!
This is a phenomenal collection that marries a love of poetry and natural science through a focus on Darwin's travels and work, as well as Swain's own passion, experience, and studies.
I absolutely loved the concept, though I will admit to being somewhat trepidatious as to how well Swain was going to pull this off, but I am happy to report that I found this to be an absolute triumph; beautiful poetry covering all manner of natural science, various creatures (with a focus on the aquatic), elements of Darwin's work and journeys, and Swain's personal experience.
The scientific mind compliments the poet's heart, enabling Swain to render down technical details and hone in on specifics with exacting and emotive language without falling prey to suffocating meaning on sterile slides.
I felt genuine joy and wonder reading this gorgeous collection!
This is a phenomenal collection that marries a love of poetry and natural science through a focus on Darwin's travels and work, as well as Swain's own passion, experience, and studies.
I absolutely loved the concept, though I will admit to being somewhat trepidatious as to how well Swain was going to pull this off, but I am happy to report that I found this to be an absolute triumph; beautiful poetry covering all manner of natural science, various creatures (with a focus on the aquatic), elements of Darwin's work and journeys, and Swain's personal experience.
The scientific mind compliments the poet's heart, enabling Swain to render down technical details and hone in on specifics with exacting and emotive language without falling prey to suffocating meaning on sterile slides.
I felt genuine joy and wonder reading this gorgeous collection!
Displaying 1 of 1 review