The Map Conundrum

Devayani Khare

Every map is a lie.
How do you project a spherical earth
onto flat parchment
and yet capture its exact girth?

Every map is biased
it charts what the mapmaker decides.
Fascinating as the details rendered are,
always question what the map hides.

Every map is a puzzle
where data and design interplay;
an expert mapmaker can weave stories
from it, a novice can lead you astray.

Every map is a work of art.
Hone your patience and skills,
capture whole worlds,
via lines, shapes, and squiggles.

Learn well the language of maps,
the symbols, the grids, the scale.
Beyond the bias and propaganda,
There often is an interesting tale.

The Science

Cartography is an ancient science that has helped expand our concept of the world, imagine places we didn't know existed (terra incognita), and provide contextual information through a language of symbols. In some ways, cartography straddles science and art, and is subject to the quirks and quandaries of both. This poem highlights some of the conundrums that lie behind maps.

The Poet

Devayani Khare is an avid, yet shy poet, inspired by heartbreaks, nature, and random musing. She works as a consultant on research, travel, or brand communication.

Next poem: The Measurement Manifesto by Dani Salvadori