Entropy 

David Tatterson

Driver of the universe
Director of time
Randomness in verse
Chaos in rhyme 

Steam efficiency
Logarithm of states
Guiding invisibly
To ever increasing fates

Starting low
Always increasing
No restrictions imposed
The process never ceasing

Creator of complexity
Flowing in an endless stream
To our final destiny
Guiding the grand scheme

Allowing the profound
Essential for life
Possibilities unbound
In the cosmic strife

The goal is clear
In spacetime unbounded
Low temperature severe
Asymptotically confounded

The Science

This poem explores entropy, a key idea in physics that helps explain how energy spreads out, how disorder increases over time, and why time moves in one direction. Entropy is central not just in thermodynamics (the science of heat and energy), but also in understanding the evolution of the universe itself. One poetic line, “Logarithm of states”, refers to a famous formula by physicist Ludwig Boltzmann: S = k × log(W)

In this equation, S stands for entropy, k is Boltzmann’s constant, and W represents the number of possible microscopic arrangements of a system. The equation shows that the more ways particles in a system can be arranged without changing its overall appearance, the higher its entropy. This idea connects the microscopic world (atoms and molecules) with the large-scale behavior of energy and time. The poem also touches on how entropy relates to complexity. While entropy is often associated with disorder, it can actually enable the rise of complex structures, like stars, ecosystems, and even life, especially in systems that exchange energy with their surroundings, like Earth. This apparent paradox is one of the most beautiful aspects of physics: increasing entropy globally can allow for local order to arise.

Some phrases in the poem such as “no restrictions imposed” or “creator of complexity” are poetic simplifications. In scientific terms, entropy always increases in isolated systems, but this process still follows strict physical laws. These creative expressions have been used to  help convey abstract scientific ideas in a more accessible way.

The Poet

David is retired and writes lyrics for songs and poems about science and technology.

Next poem: final shot by Judith Shaw