Tomorrow, 14th March, is Pi Day. It has become an occasion for the annual celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi). It is also the birthday of Albert Einstein in – actually in 1879.
Based on the Japanese POETIC FORM of the HAIKU, where the 3 lines have syllable counts of 5,7,5, a new poetic form has in recent years been designed of the PI-Ku.
In a Pi-Ku each line of the poem has, in sequence, the number of syllables in the never-ending number — pi – that mysterious mathematical relationship between a circle’s diameter and its circumference . . .
π = 3.14159265 35897932384626433832795028841971693993751058 . . .
In its basic form the Pi-ku will normally have just 3 lines – of 3, 1, and 4 syllables. However, as a development of this, it is possible to extend the number of lines with syllables following the Pi sequence, stopping wherever it is wished. To continue for ever would be a somewhat tedious exercise!
With a pi-ku, therefore, the first line has three syllables, the second line one syllable, and the third line has four syllables. Although without formal punctuation, each line should end in a terminal caesura which helps to retain the sense of the poem’s content. There is no specification on the subject matter.
For those interested, a web search for ‘Pi Day’ and/or ‘Pi-ku’ will give more ideas and examples.
I give two 9-line (3.14159265) attempts of my own at this exercise below . . .
Consider
Think
Let us compose
Now
Some poetic lines
Ones which clearly convey their meaning
To all
Setting out the purpose
Of this exercise
Talk to me
Speak
In your own words
Now
I want to hear you
Spilling your everyday musings
To me
So that I may reflect
On what our love means
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