WoPoLi

A perfect number poem

The Man Who Counted, by Malba Tahan. Introduced to many math concepts, I
became entranced by the pattern found in perfect numbers. The perfect number sequence is, 1+2+3=6, 1+2+4+7+14=28, if you want more of a challenge you can continue the sequence, with 1+2+4+8+16+31+62+124+248=496.

An alteration I later created to the formula yields a less intimidating form. It uses the number of letters in each word instead of the number of words in each sentence to represent the numbers in the perfect numbers sequence. Like the reality in the first
version of being limited to the first three sequences, in this formula you can not go above the first two sequences. 1, 2, 3, = 6 and 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, =28
I couldn’t resist using the 28 letter word so I included the perfect numbers in this version. the equals sign is not necessary, I just added it in these two poems. Here are my mathematical poems.

I am you = Riddle.

I vs. them; religion, macroevolution = antidisestablishmentarianism.

I am ion = metal.

I am EDTA reduced malcontentedly = ethylenediaminetetraacetates.
(Salie Davis, April, 2009)

This new form could be the next universally recognized mathematical formula for constrained mathematical poetry! Feel free to come up with your own constraints to literary art, your constraints may too.  It is the inspiration that mathematics has to offer, even the poet, that will determine the future of the mathematical literature and poetic culture.

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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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