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Open Poetry #47
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zero sum game
| Open Poetry #47 |
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zero sum game |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738
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I was never good enough nor ever shall I be. So count the things I've never done subtract them from the sum of me, factor parenthetically reduce, divide, then multiply neglected opportunity and calculate my self-esteem. I flinch upon the number line as your eyes move the pointer past the zero pivot balancing complete the inequality. Now don't forget to show your work. To understand I'll need to see the logic you applied to me perhaps I'll understand and be at peace with negativity languishing invisibly content and graded-- "incomplete" a frownie face and question mark in red-- as if I need to see confusion staring back at me, as I squirm in my seat. |
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| © Copyright 2011 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved | |||
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Forgive me, Karen, if I don't agree. I know this was a number line, but allow me to talk in percentages. I see you as 100% - OK, OK, OK, you're human and can't be perfect, and I suppose 100% is my prejudiced view, so let's be REALLY conservative, and say 99%. Owl |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Captivating, dear Karen. Love it. We are just perfect with all of our imperfections, they happily define our uniqueness. M |
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flash Member
since 2010-11-28
Posts 213miami beach, florida |
Yes, our imperfections are what make us so unique and different. And altho left brain logic is important, I say right brain beauty is also necessary--and poets --like youself--express it wonderfully. As the Billy Joe songline says: "I love you--just the way you are" Acceptance is the key to a happy life. Enjoyed, Al |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Whatever "failures" you have achieved in your life, according to this poem, in the views of someone else...is between you and them. But what I see here is someone that has accomplished something very special, that only an sensitive, thinking , human being can do..and that is to write excellent poetry.. This piece being a fine example. |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
I think I will forgo your detailed instructions, Karen, and just take you as you are. ~~ I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize. ~~ |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I was never good enough nor ever shall I be. I don't know what grading scale was used here... but it's a harsh one. By any I know, you aren't just good or good enough... you blew the curve for everyone else. *S* Now don't forget to show your work. Now THAT's a statement I hope you continue heeding! *S* |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
OMG, you completely forgot about the frustration factor... that works on a sliding scale toward infinite negativity. And then there’s that “negative zero” thing that always gripes me. Who cares what side of the equation you are approaching zero from… it’s still zero and it’s still gonna suck once you’re there! Well done, Karen I hate math, myself, but can always be sucked into it for things like a roulette betting scheme or passing an electrician’s exam I suppose. Never would I have thought to compile it with poetry.  Michael |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Fine writing...James |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Just popping on to express my gratitude. (and I'm fine--I'm pretty sure I just got da flu.  )Seems like the whole world has the flu... Ya'll stay well. Love you! g'nite. |
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Angel4aKing Senior Member
since 2006-09-27
Posts 1372USA |
I love it ... leaves a lot to contemplate!!!! removing the factors that are not me!!! ~~~kingsangel~~~ |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
"as if I need to see confusion staring back at me," I just love that statement! I would blow a kiss at you (if I knew how to do fancy emoticons). |
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Richy Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 3050 |
Karen, just remember that nobody's perfect, so if you feel like a nobody, then... you're perfect! Funny, its in your imperfections that i find you, perfect, the same goes for this piece, even though it made me think and now i have a headache... owww... you sound like a math teacher... loved this!! |
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Aaron Snyder New Member
since 2011-09-02
Posts 6Dependent on my state of mind. |
I have to say this is one of the best uses of math skills I've ever seen. Or maybe it's the most complex math problem I'm able to wrap my head around. A little. Made cheerful by genial jest. |
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ebonygirl Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000California U.S.A |
Dear Serenity, Enjoyed your poem, and the spirit woman words, Thank you, ms. e |
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Amaryllis Senior Member
since 2010-05-20
Posts 1306Mi now |
I get this. Oh do I get this. I feel ya, and, it's usually better in a day or two. Deep down you know your worth. It's just...hiding from you for now. Writing helps, and having a good ol' bawl session, and/or a great gab/vent event with your closest gal... Be well, my best to you.. Amaryllis |
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luminosity Senior Member
since 2005-11-18
Posts 813 |
oh yes, I love this, and lol, we always thought in school...what are we ever going to need math for? to get to sleep at night...what else? lol Mathematically sleeping Her mind refused to equate the darkness and her closed eyes to sleeping as she wrestled the unsolved calculations of her life up to the current date. She took her unhappiness and multiplied it by WhatCouldHaveBeen, but found the resulting figure too large to handle, so she divided it by WishesNeverComeTrueAnyway... but everyone knows what happens when you divide by a negative and now she had not only successfully exponentially notated her quandary but negated it as well. Algebraic training came to her rescue, she took her hopes out of the equation and simply multiplied the whole thing by her SelfImage, subtracted her dreams one by one and dropped deeply into the comfort of an absolute zero. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
You took math... and made luminosity shine as well.  Funny, how one subject can have relevance over all of life... and we think we don't need to know it. You're my Pi, dear. You are my constant.  |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
All those formulas I once studied would have been easier to learn if I'd only known that they could be more than "if a train leaves Chicago"... word problems. *S* Math + Poetry = Gift to Readers *S* |
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