numbers
I
numbers are magic
as everyone knows
numbers of fingers
and numbers of toesone is a number
as is two, as is three
big’s not a number
and neither is weebut you can give them a number
if you measure them close
you can give them a number
for lesser or mostred’s not a number
and neither is blue
but we give them both numbers
and think that it’s truenumbers aren’t real
they can’t hug you or kiss you
they can’t feed you a meal
and numbers won’t love youzero’s a number
or just an idea
it gives nothing away
but a question: to be?II
What if we could map the future?
If we could graph the probability
of you loving me, of me loving you?
This moment, its topology, its exact
dimensions and chronology – if we
could fracture it into its smallest
signifier – decipher the most obtuse
and mysterious functions – if we
could do that – this moment, its
infinite fractals, spinning off one
from the next – if you, if I, are only
numbers, the consequence of some
algebraic equation, some geometric
shape – do we add? Do we divide?
Each solution holds the next problem.III
zero equals spiral
the moment of conception
anything is possibleone at the center
the beginning
and the endtwo, the dialectic
balance, and also
contradictionthree is perfection
in its fullness
nothing is missingfour is totality
this earth
and all its directionsfive is the star
it is fire
it is lightsix is power
it is destiny
unfoldingseven is fulfillment
it is motion
it is changeeight
the pillar
and the pathnine
is the serpent
that bites its own tailzero, the spiral
the shell
and the snail
This week’s prompt was to incorporate mathematics into a poem. As you can see, I found this unusually inspiring.
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