POETIC WORDS:

“make magic talk” → Science feels like magic because it reveals hidden wonders.

myriad - countless or extremely great in number

“a myriad shells show / in a scrap of chalk” → Chalk looks plain, but under magnification it reveals countless tiny shells (chalk is made from fossilized shells).

Personification

“I can make magic talk”

Magic is given the human quality of talking.

This shows how science reveals wonders as if they are speaking to us.

Metaphor

“magic”

Magic is a metaphor for science and its marvelous discoveries.

The poet compares scientific observation to magic without using like or as.

Hyperbole

“A myriad shells”

Myriad means countless.

It is an exaggeration to emphasize the large number of tiny shells seen in chalk.

Imagery

Whole stanza

The poet creates a visual image of tiny shells inside a piece of chalk seen through a glass.

The poet uses personification, metaphor, hyperbole, alliteration, and imagery to show how science reveals hidden wonders in ordinary objects.

moss - a very small green or yellow plant without flowers that spreads

but - only

shells - outer coverings

scrap - a small piece of something

hive -    a structure made for bees to live in

deft - neatly skillful and quick in one’s movements

jets - forced out of a small opening

spinnerets - any of several different organs through which the silk, gossamer, or thread of spiders, silkworms, and certain other insects is produced

tigerish - like a tiger, especially in being aggressive or showing great energy

stumble - to move carelessly or unknowingly and get trapped by accident.

When the poet says the flies “stumble into his net,” it means the flies do not realize the danger, they accidentally get caught in the spider’s web.

marvellous - excellent, extraordinary