Which came first? / Chicken, egg, or catch / twenty-two? Haikumages

Which came first? / Chicken, egg, or catch / twenty-two?

This haiku (senyru, actually!) deals with the ages-old question about the origin of the universe, which dates back to the birth of consciousness–likely the first question asked by the first sentient being, right after their appetites (food, sex) were satisfied, and they had shelter for the night. The question is joined here with the modern-day concept of “Catch 22” which is pulled from the novel by Joseph Heller, referring to “circular logic”, and its common idiomatic usage referring to a “no-win situation”. The Haikook (I, me) herein is referring to the big question, or any question without an answer…or when the question IS the answer, is the question, is the answer, is the…  🙂

After reading this one, a friend of mine responded by mentioning the “turtles all the way down” expression, a funny reference to the ancient myth (one of many) that the world exists on the back of a huge turtle.  The expression is attributed to Stephen Hawking, and is now used by astronomers, physicists and cosmologists, when referring to the “infinite regression” (circular source, beginning is the end) concept of the beginning, the origin of the universe…

FYI – check out these two related Wikipedia articles:

Catch Twenty-Two: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch-22

Turtles All The Way Down: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtles_all_the_way_down

// haikumages // ©russ murray 


“Haikumages” are short poems (mostly haiku and senryu-style) combined with images (mostly original photographs and graphics) by Russ Murray.

2 responses to “Which came first? / Chicken, egg, or catch / twenty-two?”

  1. Nice shadow………..eggs have so much symbolism…………..

    1. Thanks! Yes they do…a friend of mine responded to this haiku by mentioning the “turtles all the way down” expression, a funny play on the old myth of the world existing on the back of a huge turtle, now used by astronomers and physicists when referring to the “infinite regression” (circular source, the beginning is the end) concept of the origin of the universe… 🙂

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