Source: The Youth’s Book on Natural Theology, 1840
First a rumble
grumbling in the night,
then a crack, the light
jagged and brightly-white
zig-zagging, where the kite
with hemp strands and key
conducts electricity–
a sight to see,
but from afar—
(check the jar)
this experiment of wonder,
science, lighting, and thunder.
A quadrille (a poem of 44 words) for dVerse where De asked us to use the word “crack.” If you don’t know anything about Benjamin Franklin’s experiment, here are the details from the Franklin Institute—it includes a passage from his article in the Pennsylvania Gazette. He actually electrified the hemp from the charged air, not directly from the lightning, but poetic license. 😉
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
What a great retelling of this famous piece of history
Thank you so much, Beth!
This made me smile. 🙂
A good thing. 🙂
Very nicely done
Thank you, Derrick.
I can see this as part of a book telling history with poetry, which you are so good at doing. Illustrated with historical documents like this one.
I know you can fit that into your schedule. (K)
Thanks for the lovely idea, Kerfe!
I loved this, Merril! Great job!
Thank you, Jill!
That experiment always appeared dangerous to me. I wonder how he got the electricity to stay in the jar, but then I’m no scientist.
Thanks, Frank. Yes, it’s definitely dangerous, although he didn’t actually do it the way it’s typically depicted. I’m a historian, not a scientist, but it was a Leyden jar, which has metal inside to hold the charges. . .
You bring this to life, your words carry the electric charge.
Thank you! 🙂
🙂
What a wonderful way to learn one’s history 😉
Thank you very much! 🙂
Excellent!
Thank you!
Merril, absolutely BRILLIANT use of sound and line breaks here, two of my favorite poetic tools. That “(check the jar)” is just wonderful. I completely agree that a book of history poems might be in order. So so good.
Thank you so much, De! What a lovely comment–and much appreciated!
I love the way you told this story Merril!
Thank you, Linda!
Your poem was absolutely electric!
Thank you! 🙂
Adventurous telling of a momentous event. “with hemp strands and key”
Thank you very much!
You’re very welcome.
I remember reading about he experiment with the comment that Benjamin Franklin was extremely lucky
Yes, he probably was.
Franklin inspired a lot of poetic license as his exploits have been retold- he was quite a character. He invoked his license as well, he and Poor Richard. I assume the reference to the jar is a reference to his lesser legendary accounts of his experiments with electricity.
What a surprising and summative/informative/historical take on the prompt!
Thank you very much. Yes, he was quite a character. Sometimes my history hat comes on as I write, but as I said, poetic license. 🙂 Yes, the jar was a reference to the Leyden jar.
I like this poem of history and I think it would be a great one to read to children. I am impressed by your creative response to this prompt. Well done.
Thank you very much!
I like the terse lines, variations of rhyme and how you used the prompt word in this little snippet of history.
Thank you, Mish!
I adore this! Writing historic, educational poetry could be a teaching thing. Kids get to be creative while learning.
Thank you, Resa!
I have always had an some interest in poetry, but when you add history and science, I am all in. Thanks you for this piece.
Thank you very much for reading and leaving a comment.