Fractals

The Mandelbrot set was derived —
In its complex quadratic-contrived
Polynomial form —
To repeat as a norm:
With self-similar fractals revived.

These irregular shapes are a set.
As each fractal is plotted, you get
Geometrical art
That reflects in each part
Its original — small — smaller yet.

So they go, on and on; there's no end
To recursions that make your mind bend!
As you pass through these levels,
Your consciousness revels:
Are we just a fractal God penned?

•••

The Franco-American (Polish-born) mathematician Benoît Mandelbrot (MAN-duhl-broht) (b. 1924) studied parameter spaces of complex quadratic polynomials. With modern information technology he was able to plot their point sequences to form images of complex fractals. Partly because of his work, fractals have been introduced into many practical as well as aesthetic applications today.

(Co-Authored with Carol June Hooker)