There's a little red x that you must never touch unless you're really grossed out by a comment. Once you touch the devil x, there is no retreat.

You are a sculptor. van Gogh was a painter. I do a little math. How do you as a sculptor write poetry? That's the thing I want to get at. How does a car mechanic or truck driver put a thing so very common, that they do every day, into poetry.

I wish I could remember what I said. You seem to have deleted all the comments. Oh yes, I said this was atypical for zoo keepers. No, I did not get the metaphor. And on reading it again, I don't get it except that you said so. In the future, please do not delete comments unless they really gross you out.

Looking at it that way, and reading it again, it makes more sense. But unless the poem is part of a series where readers already know some things about you, you cannot expect us to pick that up from this poem alone.

Is that why you voted 10?

Back to that, are we? Same question, new setting.

You made no secret, in your opening statement on jroday’s poem, that you find my vote of 9, compared to your 10, “very sad.” Your ensuing questions sought to draw me into some slip-of-word, a self-made entanglement from which you could close in to inflict pain for your pleasure in accordance with your previously stated intent.

You will understand if I am wary. “A smart fish swims around the bait,” and I have answered your question (in the deleted poem, and rephrased here) as fully and directly as it deserves, considering your stated motive.

Today, I have a red dress to put on, a hat to wear, and cheer to deliver. May I begin by presenting you the enjoyment of a title for your possible development? “Dovina, the Dimtard.” Catchy, isn’t it? Has a pleasant ring. Using it and my “Yes” answer to your question in jroady’s poem about whether I find his poem nearly as good as Yeats, you could expound for several pages, and enjoy the merriment of this special season.

Again, Merry Christmas.

No, its not like that. I don't have this all formulated. Its just that metaphor (asignment) might work in a math setting, granted the numbers need more relationship to love, hate, etc, than I have shown. I don't think that makes the whole concept impossible or weird.

Why not? Isn't poetry about metaphor - asignment

Worried about copyright - I doubt it.

Oh, maybe the end of a love affair (2-2) then the end of a life (1-1)

This is not a good math poem, but I imagine the possibility of a good one. I like the idea of expressing with math some of the same fears, loves and hates that van Gogh painted.

Yes, and why do I suspect my answer will lead to another question, which will lead to something worse. I see jroday deleted his poem on which we were in the midst of a similar development. And Merry Christmas.

Have I offended your sensibilities in burbling about a sum? I think it goes back to a prior discussion regarding science in poetry. At least you say the idea of a math poem is okay this time. And what’s this about converse, unless you mean Dictionary Lesson? Wow, what a jumble of stuff to answer. Makes me lazy just trying. Maybe writing a math poem is like a painter writing one with only the tools he knows how to use.

I prefer a little more direction and singlness of purpose in the poems I read. I also write double-tongued sometimes, but from a poem like this, I go away with a few good tidbits and a lot of wonderment.