Math 101
The skink can’t know that
the person means to save it.
Lifted from the brown water
into a cup of hands, it does
the only arithmetic it knows
and lets its bladder go
then its tail: blue, still
then its tail: blue, still
left swimming on its own.
The part that thinks
saved climbs slender wrist,
lighter now,
already
growing
back—a
lesson
in sub-
traction.
growing
back—a
lesson
in sub-
traction.
10 thoughts on "Math 101"
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Love the shape, the “tail” separated from the rest. Such a great decision. Delightful poem.
Wow…”The part that thinks/saved climbs slender wrist,”
Ah, the power of instinct and subtraction. What a remarkable poem, Shaun!
matter-of-fact and empathetic. I envy how distinct your style is, Shaun—I would recognize your poems anywhere
Oh, this is a keeper, Shaun. I love the sensation of
“a
lesson
in sub-
traction.”
Wonderful!
Never read a poem with a skink in it! First line engages reader and a good poem follows!
For the first time in my life, I have thought of myself as a skink. This is great!
I never liked Math until now! Thanks, Shaun, for the turnaround.
Can’t wait to share this with my older son, who teaches math! Esp. love the fusion of form and content. Also the way you make use of physical elements of the skink and the speaker.