Musings on Math Pt. 1

Mathematics is pretty cool. It took me some time to be able to say that with a straight face, but I sincerely believe it's a cool subject (and I majored in English in college. To say that I'm a contradiction or somewhat outside of the perceived norm is a bit of an understatement). Mainly, I think math is great because it allows the practitioner to conceive of things in a new way. Let me throw out some examples.

Math is surprisingly Tao. Math strives for balance.

For example:

  (8 + 9) + 5 = (5 + 9) + 8

The numbers are in a different order, but their sums are equivalent. Moreover, what one does to one side of an equation, one must also do to the other side of an equation:

2x - 8 = 24

If 8 is added to one side,

2x - 8

    + 8

it must also be added to the other

  24

  +8

in order to maintain balance and keep our equation essentially unchanged.

2x = 32

Anything done to one side of the equation

2x

/2

must be done to the other side

32

/2

in order to maintain equivalency

x = 16

The answer is then plugged back in to make sure that everything matches up. 

2(16) - 8 = 24

32  - 8 = 24

24 = 24

Math tells us that just because something looks different does not mean it is different.

Math also tells us that certain things are the way they are, and if we know enough stuff, we can fill out the variables. The trick, however, is to know enough so that we know enough. In other words, we know enough to be left with one variable.

See, some people think that others are walking equations composed of multiple variables. They assume that people are essentially unknowable because they are too complex, too varied, too [insert word here]. But the truth is that people all want essentially the same things:

Love and Acceptance

If you give yourself love and acceptance, make sure to balance out the equation by giving it to others around you as well, and of course, do the converse: if you give love and acceptance to others, don't forget yourself.

Just because people look different does not mean they are different.

Of course, it is more complex than just treating everyone exactly the same, but I'm merely suggesting that we treat ourselves and others as an equation in the most generic sense. The only exception is we should always strive to add rather than subtract. Add to yourself to bring your end of the equation up; add to others to make them equal you, but you do not have the right to subtract from another nor should you have to make less of your own greatness.

"You have absolute value

You are an equation in motion,

a spinning cosmos of action and reaction,

your arms are the Milky Way,

so your heart is a God-given star.

This is why the space just beneath your ribs

is called a solar plexus."

Assorted Love Poems

Poems.  They're about love a lot.  Some of my writing is no exception.  If you want to check out a recent prompt about the topic, click here.  Anyhow, as that post said, I was looking through some old notebooks and found a few poems (or more accurately pieces) on the subject and wanted to post them up because I know at least one person who would really like them!

Falling

It's not that I'm falling for you;
it's just that I kinda maybe probably really sorta sorely want to.
I want to fall like a rock through the sky,
a bird who's forgotten how to fly
because it's been a long time
since I've heard the wind's song chime
so loud and strong within one such sitting
and, girl, you're like Charlie Sheen: duh, winning
at every aspect, but if I had to come clean
I'd say my grasp on firm ground began to ween
that first moment the waves of your voice lapped at my ears.
Such a pleasant sound which assuaged my fears,
my worries at donning a teacher's belt that first day
and more or less stumbling my first lesson away.
Yet I know beyond the beat of my heart
that I wanted to impress you with my art,
for far and away you were a wonder to meet
as, instead of ground, I found falling at my feet.
So it's not that I'm falling for you;
it's that I kinda maybe probably really sorta sorely want to.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Details

As a poet, I know I'm supposed to write about love like
I have a patent on it - like only I understand the plans
filed in that patent office just above your 6th rib. Like
I know so much more about love because, after all,
that's why I write poetry, right?
Because I know what love is like
but I've lost it.

Listen, the only time I've
tasted what love was like was when it
slipped between our lips
during that sudden first kiss, when
it rested on her neck - I could taste
it for just a moment then.
The only time I've seen
love was when it waved its way
and framed her face - I could've sworn
I saw it even in the night and half light
coming from a silent alarm set to break our reverie.
And I only felt
it when she fell into my arms
for the first time -
felt it when my fingers sifted
past strands of hair, to brush
them back and clear her ears.

See - poetry, like love,
exists in the details, so
the only reason I can even begin
to know what love is like
is because I've paid attention
to the details. Like
the way she ties her shoes -
two bows crossed in two loops
and it's beautiful - the details
are all that I remember.
Like how she would tell me
to stop thinking when we danced
because thoughts interfere
with my feet and somehow
muddle the beat. Like
the way we'd walk
but couldn't stop
music from running away
with our feet, like
the way she'd smile, say
"yeah, yeah!" when
something caught her eye
and I loved
the way her hazel
eyes gathered gold
in flecks and reflected
my questions with rich
intelligence. I liked
the way she'd inspire this poetry
in me - this is
an attempt to capture the swish
of her hips on dance floors or
the feel of fingers intertwined
with mine or the warmth
of an embrace or the feel
of her shoulders in my frame.

Poetry is she
and this
is an attempt
to convey that.

_________________________________________________________________________________


She Is

She is like air.
Light, playful, there.
Almost unnoticed,
until she's noticed.
Then, she's hard to forget.
Hard to forget that I breathe her in when
I lack energy - she
could set a ship's course,
make the seas rage,
uproot trees, scatter debris
and flood the land, but
she doesn't.

Choosing warmth, she
speaks softly, almost
as a whisper through leaves.
Although I don't know it yet, I
sense she has the ability
to sweep clouds away
and leave only sun
shining, warm, smiling.

November 26th Prompt - For The Love

I have been on an absolute kick with regard to love.  This is possibly because I've been looking through old notebooks and noticing how much my pen used to be obsessed with the idea.  I had filled many pages with the idea, and I kind of like it.  Love is one of the driving forces behind the universe it seems; it's everywhere. But sometimes we forget it.  Or it gets misplaced.  Sometimes it sneaks its way into our other pieces of baggage; you know, the ones which we glean from past relationships or ones that will never really be.  Sometimes we forget how powerful this word is and why it should be saved and used only when we truly mean it.  These thoughts are what lead into today's prompt.

Write an epistle (poem in letter form) to someone whom you love (or loved).

Granted, this is a difficult topic, so I'm going to open it up a bit and encourage you to write to the very first person who comes to mind.  What does love mean where this person is concerned?  Is it a feeling of concern for their well-being (like a guardian or parent)?  Is it a feeling of platonic, amazing friendship?  Is it a difficult to describe, deep seated attraction type love?  As you'll notice, these questions revolve around what type of love you're trying to express.  Keep this in mind: There are several different types of love.  Which do you feel strongest in your life right now?  Which felt strongest to you at some point prior to this?  How would you describe your thoughts/feelings?  As always, be specific, and don't hesitate to put pen to page.

Love is a strong emotion and well worth writing about, so be sure to have fun writing and good luck!