read write prompt #11: what equals metaphor plus math?
by Christine Swint
What does 7 + 5 = 12 have to do with metaphor and consonance? After attending a poetry reading and workshop by Earl S. Braggs I learned that, although mathematics and poetry are two different languages, when they bisect each other they create a complementary algebra of the heart and mind.
Here’s an example of Braggs’ use of math in his poem, “In Which Language Do I Keep Silent,” the title poem of his most recent collection, In Which Language Do I Keep Silent, new and selected poems by Earl S. Braggs, Anhinga Press, 2006 (1). I had the wonderful experience of hearing him recite this poem at the reading – his gentle voice and subtle, personal rhythms infused his work, carrying the audience to a different place and time. We entered the poet’s world.
I know that if a number is raised to the first power,
the exponent is usually not written.
I know that the absolute value of a number
is that number without a sign. Without a sign,
there’s no way to tell who I am.
Tonight I will not give any indications. I know that
the angular velocity of your movement is too beautiful to name,
and I’ve come to recognize you, the dancer’s moon,
in the sad straight lines of my own poetry.
The prompt for this week is to incorporate mathematics into a poem. Here are some suggestions:
- Like Earl S. Braggs’ poem, try mixing mathematical language, such as exponents, absolute value, signs or equations.
- Write a poem whose form is based on math, such as the Fibonacci sequence or Pi.
- Write about your relationship to the study of math. For some it’s a sublime subject, but for others numbers represent an arcane language not easily understood.
- Look for shapes in nature, in buildings and in the human form. Base your poem on the geometrical configurations in your world. Think of cylinders, triangles, spheres, quadrilaterals and even the everyday circle and square.
- Write some lines using meter, which are the audible representation of numerical patterns. Think music.
- Try repeating an equation throughout the poem as a refrain.
Tips for collaborating
- One writer can supply a mathematical equation for one verse, and the other can respond with a line that reflects the equation in poetic images or feelings.
- Write a poem pairing shapes with objects, each poet alternating words or lines.
- Swap math words with each other to build into the poem. Each of you could write a poem of five to ten lines, and then combine the two by alternating stanzas or lines.
Remember, your math doesn’t have to add up! The beauty of poetry is the message between the numbers, lines or words.
Let’s poem!
(1) Published with permission.
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Wear it loud, wear it proud! Display the Read Write Poem badge on your site. Just click here or on the image above to get the code! read write poem news- yes, yes, here’s another virtual book tour stop for ‘a walk through the memory palace’
February 6, 2010 | 11:37 amFind the latest tour stop for Pamela Johnson Parker’s debut collection, A Walk Through the Memory Palace at Jillypoet, Jill Crammond Wickham’s blog, where you can find an interview with Pamela that discusses how she creates manuscripts.
Previous stops include Daniel Romo at his blog, Peyote Soliloquies and James Brush at his blog, Coyote Mercury.
You can find all our plans for the tour here.
- the best of the web is in our ranks
February 6, 2010 | 11:35 amSarah J. Sloat’s poem,”Attending the Tasting” (published in The Literary Bohemian) has been selected for Best of the Web 2010. Congratulations, Sarah!
- another (w00t!) read write poem member on the joe milford poetry show
February 6, 2010 | 11:34 amOn the Joe Milford Poetry Show tomorrow (Feb. 6): W.F. Roby at 9 AM (PST). Find the show here!
Joe describes Will as a “great language poet and bad-ass.”
- ‘literary podcasting made simple with wordpress.com’
February 6, 2010 | 11:33 amDave Bonta has published a how-to article that might be of interest to WordPress users: “Literary Podcasting Made Simple with WordPress.com,” based on his and Beth Adams’ experience at Qarrtsiluni.
Thanks, Dave, for continuing to help make the community aware of technological resources that can expand our art.
- the latest (virtual) book tour stop for ‘a walk through the memory palace’
February 3, 2010 | 3:53 pmThe latest tour stop has been posted for Pamela Johnson Parker’s debut collection, A Walk Through the Memory Palace. Find out how Daniel Romo responded to the work at his blog, Peyote Soliloquies.
James Brush provided our first tour stop at his blog, Coyote Mercury.
You can find all our plans for the tour here.
- planning for napowrimo in april, and you are invited!
February 2, 2010 | 6:12 pmHello, hello dear Read Write Poem community members! We are in the planning stages for NaPoWriMo. (What? Is that a groan I hear, or an excited exclamation?)
We are planning another prompt-every-day for those folks who love to write a daily poem in April (which is, as most of you know, National Poetry Month in the United States — although there is an international following of writing poetry every day in April, too, so it is not just about the States).
Anyway! This is a call for prompts because we want to run your ideas, one every day, in April. So here’s what to do:
- Prompts must be no more than 250 words, and we will take the first 30 that we receive.
- Include “NaPoWriMo Prompt” in the subject line of your email as well as your username (e.g., the name you use when you log in) so we can match you up with your prompt and give you the link love.
- Email your submission (in the body of the email — no attachments please) to prompts (at) readwritepoem (dot) org!
We’ll let you know when we’ve got the 30, but don’t delay because it takes a lot of time to format the posts and we want to be ready come April Fools’ Day. Woohoo!
- new senior contributors at read write poem
February 2, 2010 | 11:51 amWe are thrilled to announce that Ren Powell and Dave Jarecki are moving into the senior contributor role at Read Write Poem. Both have been writing feverishly for the site, as well as providing ideas for content and for the community as a whole. In short, they make this site a more lively, and better, place.
Ren and Dave will fill the roles vacated by Carolee Sherwood and Jill Crammond Wickham, who have moved into the manager role.
Everyone please thank Ren and Dave for their hard work and commitment to Read Write Poem.
- rounding out the virtual book tour of sarah j. sloat’s ‘in the voice of a minor saint’
January 31, 2010 | 1:53 pmOur last stop on the Virtual Book Tour of Sarah J. Sloat’s In the Voice of a Minor Saint is with Ren Powell. Find Ren’s review at More Babel.
Joseph Harker provided our first stop in December, and you can find David Moolten’s review at Edible Detritus. David’s was followed by Dave Jarecki’s. Dave’s review is at his blog. Find Jill Crammond Wickham’s at Jillypoet: Mom Trying to Write.
In case you missed the introduction, we are (virtually) hosting Sarah J. Sloat’s In the Voice of a Minor Saint. For complete tour information, such as how you can get your own copy of the collection or how you can get involved in future tours, read this post.
- make your own book: get off the computer and onto the paper
January 30, 2010 | 4:19 pmBeth Adams has posted her latest project at The Cassandra Pages. “A Handmade Book” may not explicate all the details of bookbinding, but Beth shows readers the “Secret Belgian Binding.” It’s a beautiful as well as inspiring post.
If you would like more detailed instructions, Google “secret Belgian bookbinding” and find sites such as this one. Or look for a local book arts class for hands-on instruction.
As Beth says, ” … it did me good to get away from the computer and feel my hands at work!”
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Thanks! I really gonna love writing for this prompt! I think I will experiment…
Great, gautami! It was a stretch for me, because math has never been my strong suit. But we always avoid what we most need, so math it is!
I’m excited about this prompt. I’ve been wanting to try the Fibonacci sequence. Now I have a great excuse!
Oh, great prompt! I love math so much, but it would never have occurred to me to write a math poem. Thank you!
Here’s a link to a follow-up post I wrote about Earl Braggs’ poetry workshop.
Poems on my block
[...] in poetic forms, head over to readwritepoem for Tom’s post on the villanelle. I wrote the prompt for this week, combining math with [...]
You may be interested in this type of mathematical poetry as well.
http://mathematicalpoetry.blogspot.com
Please look in the sidebar for a taxonomy of mathematical poetic structures.
or google “similar triangle poems”
Thanks!
Kaz
I wrote a strange poem. Everything is a rough draft for me, so I wouldn’t be surprised, if it was radically different sometime in the future.
http://noahthegreat.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/pathways/
In a convoluted spirit of math, my post under prompt #10 was identified as my #5 — it was actually my #4. Correcting the numerical transposition — this post under prompt #11 is, in fact, my true #5.
Hey, it would be great if you guys would post your links again when the links post comes up. That way more people will come to your site to read your poems.
I am new. I thought this was the links post. It wasn’t immediately obvious, and I got distracted sorting through the academia. I’m looking only for your prompts and links, and will be more careful in the future.
WDS
No problem, WDS. We have a lot of content. I guess you could say we’re greedy for poetry.
On the right sidebar we have links to current prompts & posts. That might help you out. And the “about” is a good one to look at, too.
Glad you found us. Come back again.
Everyone should come back, starting early Monday morning and relink!
You guys got me hooked on villanelles! This one, at least, has a number in it.
Thirteen