Half the Night Awake

Once Woz was up for half the night
Trance-like, saw that black-and-white
Could turn to color — cheap and clean
One well-timed chip would paint the screen

Kekulé, dozing, saw a sapphire snake
That bit its tail, then jerked awake
And knew at last why six would cling
That benzene coils — a carbon ring

A Madras clerk could feel her write
A Hindu goddess on his tongue at night
In blood, the primes and sums that no one knew
Too strange to fake, and yes, all true

Mark well the minds these visions found
Not idle men just standing 'round
Each one had worked their search to death
And thought of it with every breath
For why should God descend to heed a call
From those who never yearned at all?