Boundaries, A Million $ Challenge

Meteorologists, at variables by the hundreds did look,

To calculate days ago, the form today’s weather took,

Gemologists calculate through mapping preparation

The facets of uncut diamond’s planar separation.

Chemists predict resulting molecular composition,

From elements exposed to catalytic deposition.

Physicists precisely predict ballistics result

As specified objects arc from catapult.

When mind subordinates to natural world’s rules,

Probability’s foretold by these disciplined schools,

Possibilities with precision can accurately scope,

And technology can frame more certain envelope.

Yet there is another world where poets dwell,

Where wondrous stories and verses we tell

There’s gold on the ground and magic in the air    

And whatever we like is quite abundant there.

Minds with great happiness and satisfaction,

Manipulate fact, fiction with dramatic action,

Cut from whole cloth, a fantastic universe,

Any rule-set their imagination can disburse.

In this ethereal world in which poets work,

Brightest rainbows shine, darkest shadows lurk, 

We select, hone, pleasing imagery convey,

Our dreams divulge what we want to say,

Our deepest fears, our nose-bleed highs,

Pain cries, pleasure moans, heart sighs,

This is Nirvana we strive mightily toward,

Reap psychological enjoyment and reward.

We must make plain, these two worlds meet,

But it’s not mutual, mostly a one-way street,

Natural world impresses poet’s world, we find,

But Nirvana changes only the human mind.

At times we pretend the two worlds blend,

That threads of our craft weave and wend

Into the natural world, physics done our way.

But, deep down, for sanity’s sake, it’s play. 

So, claim physical laws can be circumvent,

Claim dowsing rod or Ouijiboard no help lent,

Claim supernatural supercedes physical law,

Swear to some “miraculous” event you saw,

Any paranormal occurrence were witness to,

Conversed with the dead, or claim others do,

Perhaps you can arrange a truth demonstration, 

Prize: one million dollars in financial elevation.

JREF* says poet’s world runs on imagination,

Where rules are poetic license for art creation,

But natural world can’t escape filter of physical law.

Prove Randi wrong, you’ll escape poverty’s maw.   

Be aware, the rules have an inflexible aim:

You must state clearly in advance, your claim,

What powers or abilities you will demonstrate,

What limits (time, location, other) you will state,

Conditions of both positive and negative result,

JREF and you both will agree and consult.

So if you convince them your claim’s totally real,

$10,000 now, in ten days $990,000, the deal!

*JREF – James Randi Educational Foundation.

Use this link to see official rules and conditions of JREF’s challenge and obtain an application form.

http://www.randi.org/research/challenge.html