Hypertext-like poem

Hypertext-like poem: The invitation to read diagonally or follow one “knot” into another verse resembles digital hypertext, although the poem remains on a fixed page.

The House of Linked Rooms

Enter through [the blue door → 1]
or climb through [the broken window → 2].

The Blue Door

The hall smells of rain and old wool.
A portrait points toward [the attic → 3],
but a voice rises from [the cellar → 4].

The Broken Window

Glass shines across the floor
like a map of frozen rivers.

Follow the reflection to [the mirror → 5]
or follow the footprints to [the attic → 3].

The Attic

A child has written your name
inside every book.

Return to [the portrait → 1]
or open [the smallest book → 6].

The Cellar

A radio repeats tomorrow’s news.

To hear the final report, go to [the storm → 6].
To escape, return to [the blue door → 1].

The Mirror

Your reflection points behind you.

There is no room there,
only [the cellar → 4].

The Storm

The roof opens.

Every room becomes sky,
and every link leads here.

The bracketed words operate like hyperlinks. They connect distant sections, permit loops, and allow the reader to jump among textual locations.

Unlike a fully digital hypertext poem, the links do not respond electronically. The poem imitates hyperlink navigation on a fixed page. Its defining feature is linked movement between textual nodes.

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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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