One terrific poem

Natural Selection

proceeds by chance
and necessity

becomes nonrandom
through randomness

builds complexity
from simplicity

nurtures consciousness
unconsciously

evolves purposelessly
creatures who demand

purpose
and discover

natural selection


By Alan Shapiro, p. 449-450 in The Poetry Anthology, 2004, ed. by J. Parisi & S. Young. Many thanks to Tom Webb for sending it to me.