Mathematics? Ugh!, Rhyme Royal Options

[Sekhmet]

Mathematics – Ugh!

Mathematics is a loathsome thing.

It matters not how hard I try.

No abacus will ever bring

an end to calculating pi.

To long division I still cling.

I often, 'borrow one' – but why?

Infinity, as if one cared,

turns out to be just mc˛ .

The square on the hypotenuse

first freaks me out, then coyly hides.

Geometry, I can't excuse.

Who cares about opposing sides?

All calculus, I must refuse,

'twixt me and it - a great divide.

I'll see ya later, alligator.

But please don't bring your calculator

[Eisa]

Hi Leo

It's good to see you again.

This is an amusing one -generally well written and I enjoyed reading it. I did feel that the last but one line was somewhat rhyme driven - but calculator is a difficult word to rhyme!

Snow

[Sekhmet]

Hello again Eira - Thank you for reading this piece of nonsense, and for commenting.
I took myself back to my teenage years for this poem. 1955, when, 'See You Later, Alligator' by Bill Haley and The Comets was, 'Top of the Pops' in UK.
I was seventeen, and studying for A level Maths - That song drove my mother mad while I was revising; Rock and Roll was still quite a new thing, and we kids were crazy about it.
It is quite possible that this song is completely unknown to anyone under seventy - for which I offer my apologies.
I still hate maths!
Love. Leo

[jgdittier]

Dear Leo,
I haven't looked in here for awhile. Being a light verser with little love for modern poetry techniques seems to force me to be constantly looking for a more suitable home.
Your posting here suits my interests fine as your using an established form and you've included wit and humor.
You have done one more thing I like but the world generally doesn't. That is you've drawn attention to some end rhymes by making them possibly contrived but nonetheless witty.
Excuse/hypotenuse brings my smile and alligator/calculator!!! Why modern poetry is so full of no-nos that surely take the joy out of contrived thought leaves me searching for more than beauteous language read in a monotone.
May your abacus someday solve pi!!!
Nicely done!
Cheers, jgdittier

[Sekhmet]

Good morning Ron. This morning, in SW France, the rain is chucking it down. So I was delighted to find a fellow connoisseur of light, humorous verse waiting with a smile to comment on this slight poem.
When life becomes, 'tricky' I tend to deal with it by laughing in it's face. When things are running smoothly - my mind has both time and inclination to look for beauty and meaning - but, like you, I enjoy the discipline of poetic forms.
Thanks for that smile!
Leo

[JustDaniel]

I think that I would rather sing:
The subject Math's a loathsome thing.
It sets the meter right away
so that the beat won't go astray.

It's interesting that you use
tetrameter. Does that abuse
the common meter most will write?
[I hope that I'm not being trite!]

I too recall the Haley kid,
but in his early years he did
a thing you likely didn't know:
he'd yodel in a western show...

before he turned to rock-and-roll
he sang on local radio...
the station I tuned in today
while I was in my Chevrolet!

In short, this adds up to a rave!
I hope I didn't misbehave.
I've multiplied mistakes before --
cosined my escort out the door!

I join with Ron in liking wit
mixed into rhyme; it goes with it.
Though some turn up their nose and smirk,
I'd challenge them to do the work.

deLighting bLighting in the form, Daniel

P.S. Of course I recognize and applaud your use of the Rhyme Royal -- a form in which I've yet to write. I've merely responded in its shadow with rhyming couplets for the sake of extending your interest AND your wonderful humor. Thank you again! It's been too long. Adieu

[Merlin]

I haven’t writ in daze and daze,
witch left my mind in some clear haze
where you might say to me, “go figger
by tackling problems big and bigger.”

Yes, Pi are squared, they’re never round,
not over here where Pis abound.
They’ve cut down each geometry
in what’s called “progress, cantcha see?”

A quick HELLO to old friends dear,
those ones from now and yesteryear
with whom we’ve sparred our bits of wit,
and others who >>> don’t give.

[Sekhmet]

Hello there Daniel -

How very kind of you to crit
with charming eloquence, and wit.
Mayhap one needs a sense of humour
when Spring's return remains a rumour.
A flippant verse to raise a grin?
It's either that, or Gordon's gin.

Hugs,
Leo

[Sekhmet]

Hi there Merlin. It's good to see you again. Thanks for the happy, zany rhyme.

Maths at school are far from cool,
d'ya want to buy my old slide rule?

Hugs, Leo

[Larry]

Hi Leo,

Haven't had a chance to get over this way for a while and am just getting back into writing and posting after two stints of illness in our house. I thoroughly enjoyed your "Math mauling moment" and, for the most part, feel the same way. Most of what I learned in school about that subject is totaly useless unless one happens to be an engineer or a designer (I'm not).

I don't know if you wanted feedback/nits/crits on this piece. I didn't see the "NC" posted anywhere. I thought of the best way to voice my only crit and that was with verse as everyone else seemed to do. Here's mine.


Rhyme Royal Reply

Please do not feel that I, nor would I yet
wish to support Mathematics with this verse.
For “IT” I’ve no great love. Though writ’ in Tet,
these Spenserian stanzas of math’s curse
have formed “Ottava Rima”. I’ll be terse!
It’s not quiet Rhyme Royal for it would seem
you have an extra “a” in this rhyme scheme.

Larry

[Sekhmet]

Hello again Larry. I hope the bouts of illness have been blown away by the first hints of spring.
I, too, am mostly absent from the forum because of my husband's illness; but look in from time to time to see who is writing what.
I am most grateful for your crit. I always welcome crits and even downright damnation, if they are kindly meant - and your crits are both knowledgeable and offered with a gentle humo(u)r.

I was not quite sure what sort of rhyme I had produced, and of course the extra, 'a' line rules it out as a Rhyme Royale. Ottava Rima it shall be.
Hugs, Leo