Rimae Hypatia  

Isabel Thomas

In the greatest library of the ancient world
Hypatia 
turned her mind to 
algebra, astronomy, geometry,
examining the world from different angles.

While they jumped to conclusions, 
she used careful calculation 
to counter prejudice with reason. 

While they weaponized words, 
she invented instruments 
to measure the Moon. 

While they struggled for power, 
she struggled to save books
as Alexandria’s great library 
burned.

Hypatia taught 
that much of reality lies beyond our senses:
the whole is greater than any part,
there is truth that remains unseen.

Hypatia knew 
that all right angles are equal, 
despaired that all people are not.

As Alexandria’s beauty unravelled,
her city cast into chaos,
Hypatia remained a symbol of science. 

For this, she was dragged from her chariot 
killed by a mob 
armed with rubble from a roof.

They tried to silence her.

But Hypatia can still be heard: 
a reverberation
through mathematics
through science
through space.

An echo that reaches the lunar equator, 
the impact crater,
that bears her name. 

While we jump to conclusions, 
weaponize words, 
struggle for power, 
she continues to teach: 
that the greatest impact
is never made by stick nor stone, 

but the chance to think,
to learn, to know.

The Science

The poem is inspired by the life of Hypatia of Alexandria, one of the first women whose study and teaching of mathematics, astronomy and philosophy is documented, and a poignant symbol of the struggle for scientific thought in times of religious and political conflict. The Rimae Hypatia is a lunar fissure named for Hypatia.

The Poet

Isabel Thomas is a science writer and author of more than 200 books for young audiences. Her lyrical scientific picture books Moth: An Evolution Story and Fox: A Circle of Life Story are winners of the AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books, and are widely used to integrate the teaching of poetry and science in schools. Isabel studied Human Sciences at the University of Oxford, and completed her MPhil Education Research at the University of Cambridge. You can find her at www.isabelthomas.co.uk.

Next poem: Sentiments in theory – becoming by Yemurai Chaza