WoPoLi

Riddles in Rhyme

Riddle 1: The Self-Referencing Bar
In sturdy bar of tempered steel I rest,
My heft is half myself plus one pound’s quest.
Divide me once and add that slice again,
Then weight the whole to prove you’ve solved my pain.
What weight am I, that thus my secret lies?
A simple sum unveils my true disguise.

Riddle 2: The Mathematician’s Spiral
I spiral forth from roots both small and grand,
Born when two siblings join in hand with hand.
I climb by sums of each two steps before,
An endless chain that rises evermore.
Name this sequence, art of famed Fibonacci,
Where every term repeats its mirrored fancy.

Riddle 3: The Twin-Guard Puzzle
On a forked road, two sentinels abide,
One speaks the truth, one lies, though both stand side by side.
To find the way unscathed, pose but one cunning plea;
Craft your words well, and truth shall set you free.
What query cuts through knaves’ and knights’ deceit?
Ask: “Which path would your companion name the safe retreat?”

Answers (for checking)

Bar’s weight: 2 pounds (W = ½ W + 1 ⇒ W = 2).

Sequence: the Fibonacci sequence.

Puzzle solution: Ask either guard, “Which path would your companion say is safe?”

Then take the opposite.

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From the blog

About the Author: Sarah B. Royal

Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.

Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.

Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.

Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.

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