In recent literary history, mathematical formulas have become popular tools for creating poetic constraints. A prime example of this is the OuLiPo movement, which stands for Ouvroir de Littérature Potentielle (Workshop of Potential Literature). Founded on February 13, 1961, in Europe, this group of writers and mathematicians aims to explore innovative literary forms through mathematical concepts.

One well-known technique from the OuLiPo is the N+7 (or S+7) method. Here’s how to create your own N+7 poem:

Choose a Poem: Start with a specific poem that you enjoy. It can be a few lines or an entire piece.

Select Your Dictionary: Choose a dictionary that you’ll use as your reference. This can be a standard dictionary or a specialized one.

Identify Nouns: Go through the poem and identify all the nouns or substantive words.

Replace Nouns: For each noun, find the seventh word that follows it in your chosen dictionary. Replace the original noun with this new word. If you reach the end of the dictionary, loop back to the beginning until you find the seventh word.

Revise for Flow: Once you’ve replaced all the nouns, read through your poem. Make any adjustments needed to improve the flow and coherence of the new piece.

Reflect on Meaning: Consider how the changes have transformed the original poem. What new meanings or images emerge from your N+7 poem?

Row Your Bobble

Row, row, row your bobble gently down the stretch,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, lightning is but a dredge.

This poem has whimsical imagery and contrasting ideas, though created through a simple formula, the poem’s surreal nature allows for multiple interpretations, inviting readers to find their own meaning.