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Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2001-08-16 09:09 AM


The Nothingness of Zero

Zero is a nothing word
unlike the number three
For numbers were invented
to appease the likes of me

They’re only ever relevant
in reference to each other
Just as apple tree to apple
or a sister to a brother

Like the falseness of a calandar
to orient the mind
to an arificial concept
that we recognize as time

For time is only relevant
to those who wish it so
Our reality of time is wrapped
in tapesries we sew

We measure time in numbers
on a calendar or clock
And we count things with those numbers
like a sleepless sheepy flock

We always start with number one
skipping over zero
Which in my mind is the starting point
the true numeric hero

From there they dive sequentially
to infinity’s abyss
which like the number zero
is a word for nothingness

We start out with a nothing
And to nothing it amounts
for infinity's a value
that’s impossible to count

And counting’s only relevant
to numbers such as three
which is an artificial symbol
to appease the likes of me

Elizabeth Santos

© Copyright 2001 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved
2dalimit
Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228
Mississippi coast
1 posted 2001-08-16 10:47 AM


Points to ponder. Interesting.

Melton
(I started nothing and still have almost all of it)

Joyce Johnson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
2 posted 2001-08-16 12:15 PM


Oh I like this very much.  We attach so much significance to numbers and they are a  man made contrivance to make us old or keep us poor.  Very clever.  Joyce
Trillium
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
3 posted 2001-08-16 01:41 PM


Liz:  This is certainly a thought provoking piece.  Makes me stop and think about the "numbers" in our lives.  Thanks.

Betty Lou Hebert

Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

4 posted 2001-08-16 10:15 PM


This is wonderful Elizabeth, many points to ponder.

I enjoyed.

Maree  

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
5 posted 2001-08-17 09:16 AM


...and what is one without another?... Neat thoughts, Liz..
Songbird
Member Elite
since 1999-12-15
Posts 2184
Missouri
6 posted 2001-08-17 08:45 PM


This could really get you thinking.. numbers a real deep subject..so many ways they are used.. measuring..a way to be exact, and uniform..precision..codes..and important part of almost everything, even poetry.. Good job.
MoonShadow
Senior Member
since 2001-08-02
Posts 943
Dark side of the Moon.
7 posted 2001-08-18 05:23 AM


Now I know why I majored in Enlish.. count me out.  Loved the poem though.. It's number one!
Dennis L. White
Senior Member
since 2000-02-17
Posts 1463
Michigan, U.S.A.
8 posted 2001-08-18 02:54 PM


Liz,
  WOW, You've really brought to light the abstractness of numbers and how we relate to them. Excellent dialog! Dennis :^)

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

9 posted 2001-08-19 04:59 PM


Yep, it's all relative, isn't it? I enjoyed this, Elizabeth!
dgvarner
Member Elite
since 2000-05-13
Posts 3552
High Springs, Florida
10 posted 2001-08-20 12:22 PM


hmm..thought provoking...  

i must say, i'm impressed with how well you write about numbers, of all things..  not something i couldve written well about!

enjoyed the thoughts..   hugs, g

~dgvarner/fallen rain~

"i believe we are here for a reason.  
as each day unfolds,
we see less of the shadow
and more of the sun"  -unknown

illusion
Member
since 2001-06-19
Posts 296

11 posted 2001-08-21 05:02 PM


I'm not sure what the significance of three is to you but I enjoyed this poem very much.   I'm afraid I'm one of the lunatics who count everything, without conscious thought - this gives me much to ponder.  
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
12 posted 2001-08-21 05:06 PM


Thank you all for your interest in this poem. Incidentally, the significance of the number three is that it rhymes with me! hehe
Glad you liked the poem and thank you all so much for commenting
Liz

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