Darkness and Light

By Aiana Karymshakova '27

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It used to be very dark, you know. 

The universe, and the world—

Humanity itself. 

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We thought the Earth was flat, 

That sickness is from poverty. 

And cough syrups were made from Cannabis and Chloroform, 

Alcohol and Morphine Sulph. 

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Humorism was modern medicine, 

“Electricity came from kytes.” 

The Earth was in the center, 

Because the Pope said we're His favorite. 

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“Children could not feel pain,” 

Urine therapy is a thing. 

Alchemy is factual, 

Mice can appear from piles of grain And maggots from rotten meat. 

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And if you disagree 

Or prove 

Like Galilei and Pasteur, 

They will label you a witch

And burn you at the stake. 

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But my friend, 

Don’t be upset. 

Every time the universe expands 

And time passes, 

It gets lighter and lighter. 

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Starting from the Gutenberg, 

The Renaissance and the Internet. Libraries, opportunities, 

Books, articles. 

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It’s getting only lighter and lighter. 

Yes, we’re humans after all, 

And even now there is darkness. 

How vaccines can cause autism 

Or that your brain is only partly functioning.

 

Who knows what gravity really is?

How many of us know where oxygen comes from? How oceans are really more impactful than plants. What is evolution, 

And tectonic plates? 

Climate change 

And quantum mechanics? 

Yes, it is still very dark.

 

But you must admit, 

It’s getting better! 

Lighter, logical, 

And non-misconceptional. 

But this will not last long 

If we all sit here and watch a show. 

Entertainment is important, 

But don't forget to spread knowledge. 

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Don’t forget to read a few pages 

an article, 

an audiobook. 

Think critically, 

Be kind. 

Be curious 

And learn. 

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‘Cause the world will shine even brighter If all the candles in it are lit. 

If all of us learn, 

If all of us study. 

If all of us try our best 

To make our home a better place.

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