Combinatorial poem

Combinatorial poem: Parenthetical alternatives such as “wood / world” allow multiple verbal combinations. The poem therefore contains many possible poems inside one written structure.

Weather Report

At noon, the (sun / siren / silence) entered
through the (window / wound / weather).
I placed one (hand / hope / hour)
against (the glass, my heart/ the clock) and watched
a (bird / word / warning) cross
the (sky / screen / sentence).

By (dusk/ luck/ fate), the room had become
a (nest / test / memory)
for everything I had not (said / saved / seen).

The alternatives are contained within a single continuous poem. The reader may substitute one word for another, producing many possible versions, but the basic order of the lines does not change.

With eight sets of three choices, the poem permits (3^8), or 6,561, verbal combinations. Its defining feature is substitution, not navigation.

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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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