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Thursday, October 3, 2024

math hurts

Howdy. Briefly, it's the First Friday and time for an Inklings Challenge...

From Margret, via Laura Shovan, invented by new-to-me author Shari Green--A Pythagorean Poem!

Here's the math background: Pythagoras's theorem is a2 + b2 = c2.
One possible set of numbers is 3, 4, 5:
3x3 + 4x4 = 5x5
9 + 16 = 25

Using this triple, the poem will be

1st stanza: 3 lines of 3 words each
2nd stanza: 4 lines of 4 words each
3rd stanza: 5 lines of 5 words each*

KICKER! The third stanza must be composed of all the words found in stanzas one and two (in any order; variations okay). The third stanza should be a progression of sorts, a product of the first two in thought or theme or meaning.

Lordy.

Here goes, from a magnetic poem I made yesterday:


helene | a pythagorean poem


above early fall
a hot blossom
of rain opens,

tears morning– field– road–
shivers house– harvest– bark–
melts roof– night– our
very breath– to water

rain-opened road. roof blossom.
house fall. our tears shiver
above hot barks of breath.
fields harvested too early. night
waters morning. verily, a melting.


© HM 2024







Check out the rest of the Pythagorean Poems by

Mary Lee Hahn @ A(nother) Year of Reading

Catherine Flynn @ Reading to the Core

Molly Hogan @ Nix the Comfort Zone

Linda Mitchell @ A Word Edgewise
Margaret Simon @ Reflections on the Teche


and thanks to Tabatha for hosting today!

11 comments:

  1. "tears shiver" and "night waters...melthing." I can feel these as much as I can see them. Well done, Heidi. Now, I need to go get a poetry fridge magnet set. I love what you did with yours. That "hot blossom of rain" sounds foreboding.

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  2. "Night waters morning"- Wow, my favorite line. Your idea to use word magnets or even print out the words is a great tool for this form. Thanks for sharing! Cathy ( spelling right now... :)

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  3. Love that 'hot blossom/of rain opens", Heidi. Although we need it here very much, it made me think of Hurricane Helene, too. And it's cool that you used the magnets! This is a tough challenge!

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  4. Well done, Heidi! "a hot blossom of rain" says so much.

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  5. Yikes -- that "hot blossom of rain" -- can't help but feel those warming seas building to a bloom in this. :(

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  6. So many delicious phrases here. I really love "rain-opened road."

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  7. That "hot blossom of rain"--surprising and fresh!

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  8. "Hot blossom of rain" is a stunning image. I am, as ever, in awe of you, Heidi!

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  9. Oh, this is chilling, Heidi. I felt a sense of foreboding as I read.

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  10. Verily, I enjoy a poem that includes "verily." Also, "our/ very breath-to water."

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  11. Wow, Heidi! This is just wow! "Hot blossom of rain" is perfect, startling--both beautiful and ominous. You continually inspire me!

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Thanks for joining in the wild rumpus!