I love how you let the lines grow—this syllabic expansion feels instinctual and grounded. While it doesn’t follow the Fibonacci sequence precisely, it beautifully demonstrates how number-driven poetry comes naturally to us.
serious question, not a rebuttal. what is the Fib sequence? I went for 1/1/2/3/5/8 here. Is that not it? or are we working with syllables not words. maybe?
I see what you did now ... and I LOVE it! You used word count rather than syllables.
In true form, the Fib is explicitly syllabic.
Historically, poetic forms that rely on numerical constraint almost always count syllables rather than words. And this is because syllables are closer to sound and breath, more flexible across languages and better at shaping rhythm without dictating meaning.
Syllable-counting survives ambiguity. Word-counting generally does not.
This is not to say that there no word-count forms of poetry. There are-- though rare, modern and often experimental.
'Experimental' is one of the things I love most about writing.
If we wanted to be playful, we might even call word-count Fibonacci poems something else entirely — a "Fibber McGee", perhaps. 😉
Thank you so much for submitting your poem. While it may not be a Fib by current definitions, you responded to the challenge with earnest and interest, further developing the conversation about "Fibbing" and poetry.
Charlene, your son must be brilliant to have a teacher like you! I can't wait to read your Fib. I would never have discovered this poetic form without trying to write a sci-fi about whales in space! LOL
Ha, I wish I could remember why we were even learning about it. We homeschooled for a year, long story, and we both learned a ton. And I look forward to seeing what your research leads to next!
I love mathematical theories and sequences and have always been fascinated by Fibonacci in nature, but did not know about the poetry connection. Thank you for sharing JL. I will definitely write something for you.
Alegria, Yay! I look forward to your "Fib". The form is fairly new to me as well. Writing on Substack has really fed my need to discover! Thank you for being part of the discovery.
Yay! Joshua, thanks so much for contributing. Had I never delved into the subject of mathematics and poetry, the Fib would have remained hidden from me. I discover new things because people like you inspire me.
here.
now.
this is
the only place
where you can safely stand.
The rest belongs to Maya, queen of illusion.
Is it okay for me to add this to the collection to be posted on April 1st?
of course!
April Fools' - appropriate :)
I love how you let the lines grow—this syllabic expansion feels instinctual and grounded. While it doesn’t follow the Fibonacci sequence precisely, it beautifully demonstrates how number-driven poetry comes naturally to us.
serious question, not a rebuttal. what is the Fib sequence? I went for 1/1/2/3/5/8 here. Is that not it? or are we working with syllables not words. maybe?
I see what you did now ... and I LOVE it! You used word count rather than syllables.
In true form, the Fib is explicitly syllabic.
Historically, poetic forms that rely on numerical constraint almost always count syllables rather than words. And this is because syllables are closer to sound and breath, more flexible across languages and better at shaping rhythm without dictating meaning.
Syllable-counting survives ambiguity. Word-counting generally does not.
This is not to say that there no word-count forms of poetry. There are-- though rare, modern and often experimental.
'Experimental' is one of the things I love most about writing.
If we wanted to be playful, we might even call word-count Fibonacci poems something else entirely — a "Fibber McGee", perhaps. 😉
Thank you so much for submitting your poem. While it may not be a Fib by current definitions, you responded to the challenge with earnest and interest, further developing the conversation about "Fibbing" and poetry.
ah, so more like haiku:
here.
now.
this is
the only
place where you can stand.
The rest is Maya illusion.
fun stuff there, Fibber. Gets tricky after 8 🎱
YES!!! You're awesome!
Very cool. I know the Fibonacci sequence but had never heard of applying it to poetry/text.
Ben, thanks for making me feel cool. :-) Creative writing, like other art and nature, seem to spiral for a reason. Haha.
How fun! I remember teaching my younger son about Fibonacci, we were both so fascinated by it. But the poetry connection is beyond cool.
I'll give it a go!
Charlene, your son must be brilliant to have a teacher like you! I can't wait to read your Fib. I would never have discovered this poetic form without trying to write a sci-fi about whales in space! LOL
Ha, I wish I could remember why we were even learning about it. We homeschooled for a year, long story, and we both learned a ton. And I look forward to seeing what your research leads to next!
I love mathematical theories and sequences and have always been fascinated by Fibonacci in nature, but did not know about the poetry connection. Thank you for sharing JL. I will definitely write something for you.
Alegria, Yay! I look forward to your "Fib". The form is fairly new to me as well. Writing on Substack has really fed my need to discover! Thank you for being part of the discovery.
Here’s mine JL. Thank you for this, new to me, form of poetry. Just another reason to be mesmerized with patterns and fascinated by math. Thank you!
Soft
Pink
Silence
Shrouds the world
Quietly spreading
wings of joy in silk vibrations
Beautiful! Thank you. I will re-post it with all the others on the Fib's anniversary (april 1st). "silk vibrations" indeed.
Thanks JL. Glad you like it. It came so easily.
Oh, I will definitely write you one! This is really cool and I didn't know it was a thing at all. 😁
Yay! Joshua, thanks so much for contributing. Had I never delved into the subject of mathematics and poetry, the Fib would have remained hidden from me. I discover new things because people like you inspire me.