In nature, improbabilities are the one stock in trade. The whole creation is one lunatic fringe. If creation had been left up to me, I'm sure I wouldn't have had the imagination or courage to do more than shape a single, reasonably sized atom, smooth as a snowball, and let it go at that.
Annie Dillard expresses a profound appreciation for the vast improbabilities found in nature. She suggests that the natural world is a chaotic and unpredictable place, a "lunatic fringe" that defies simple explanation or expectation. This perspective highlights the complexity and randomness inherent in creation, showing that nature operates beyond our understanding and control.
Dillard reflects on her own limitations as a creator, noting that if it were up to her, she would only be capable of shaping a modest, simple atom. This admission underscores the awe she feels towards the extraordinary diversity of life and forms in nature, which surpasses human imagination and courage. Her thoughts evoke a sense of wonder at the grandeur of creation, emphasizing that it is both beautiful and bizarre.
