There’s strength in numbers.
Proofed (finally)
With theorems + formulas + laws.
We can show the work:
Given: Your x’s + y’s = blunders.
Prove: There’s strength in numbers.
Statement: Your x’s + y’s = blunders.
Reason: Given (the subjects asunder).
Statement: Our x’s + y’s = truths.
Reason: Equations / Calculations / Proofs.
Statement: Word meanings are suspect.
Reason: Puns / Derivatives / Context.
Statement: Numbers express their roles.
Reason: Primes / Absolutes / Wholes.
Statement: Letters combine and meddle.
Reason: Pedal / Peddle / Petal.
Statement: Digits merge and expand.
Reason: 10 / 100 / 1000.
Statement: There’s strength in numbers.
Reason: Little’s left to wonder.
Quod erat demonstrandum.
4 comments:
Very nice...and quite witty.
I like the playful tone of this and the certain sense of irony created through the mathematical descriptions.
I see this as a poem a math geek would like but without realizing the subtle spoof on logic.
Given the choice of "x" and "y" is their a side theme on men/women/chromosomes?
I also like the use of rhyme; it functions very nicely in supporting the irony.
Cheers.
I feel that this is exceedingly clever. I particularly like "Statement: Letters combine and meddle.
Reason: Pedal / Peddle / Petal."
One thing that I can never do convincingly is rhyme. You've done that and fairly subtly. I wasn't aware of the rhyme until I got towards the end. Well done.
I agree with both Tim and Chris, this is very witty and clever. I see it as more of a logic poem. I also like that you give the first two tiers of logical reasoning, but do not provide the conclusive idea until the end. The play on words shows a lot of craft and I admire the time you must have spent with it.
In my writing class today I lectured about "body as landscape" in writing and I thought of your short story that you wrote for Bonca's class about the man in the hospital bed. It's still living there in my mind, that's art for you.
I didn't notice the rhyme either, until I read Chris's comment. Very seamlessly integrated. I often find rhyme overpowering, and can never wield it without feeling it's force forced. Kudos to the poet here who uses it so deftly, and so fittingly for the subject matter. And also, thank you for reminding me why I hate math.
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