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Fibonacci Poems

Fibonacci poetry was founded by Gregory K. Pincus. It is a very recent invention.  Fibonacci poems comprise a 6-line format that follows the Fibonacci sequence for syllable count per line. 

In mathematics, the Fibonacci numbers, commonly form a sequence, the Fibonacci sequence, in which each number is the sum of the two preceding ones. The link between poetry and mathematics reflects the patterns that emerge in both fields. How good is that?

All that means is the 6-line poem looks like this:
1 syllable for first line
1 syllable for second line
2 syllables for third
3 syllables for fourth
5 syllables for fifth
8 syllables for sixth

For inspiration, I had to go no further than my own garden and the adjacent reserve. Sometimes you just need to go somewhere, sit still and look around you. Fabulous Fibonacci fun...

Late In The Season

a
day
late in
summer's reign
conjures mild sun
showing the season's advanced age.










Red Spotted Jezabel
The
Time
Has come...
Jezabel
Enters the garden
A butterfly cloaked in colour.








Maturing Fruit
The 
Fruit
matures
Slowly now
Summer's intensity
Quelled to a mellow ripening.





 



It is once more poetry friday. This week our host is Molly Hogan at Nix The Comfort Zone. Molly presents a poem that focuses the reader's attnetion on winter scenes, particularly winter trees, their solace and stark beauty. Check it out...

Comments

  1. I love this form, Alan - and I love what you have done with it, perfectly capturing this time of year here in Australia. I particularly loved the line "Quelled to a mellow ripening' - so evocative.

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    1. Glad you like it Sally. It was fun to capture our summer delights in this way.

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  2. Fun fibs, Alan. I, too, like the line "Quelled to a mellow ripening" - very juicy! ;)

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    1. Pleased that you enjoyed my little fibs Bridget. It seems the 'quelling' has struck a note with you and Sally.

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  3. I love them all. They are so fun to write. Your form is perfect and the lengthening of the poem in reference to the mature summer days works great! Nice photos too. Thanks for a fibronacci poem walk--especially with Jezabel.

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    1. Thank you Linda. I like your connection between the increasing length of the poem lines and our mounting summer days. Jezabel is always welcome in my garden.

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  4. These are wonderful, Alan! I especially love the line "A butterfly cloaked in colour". Beautiful!

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    1. Thank you, Linda. Butterflies have always been a fascination to me, so I enjoy any opportunity to write about them.

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  5. That Jezabel is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your Fibs, Alan.

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  6. Sometimes I think this new fibonacci form fits recent poetry history like the haiku from earlier days, a few words grabs the scene so beautifully, as yours do this time, Alan. The jezebel butterfly is a new one to me, love that & "cloaked in color". Enjoy your endings!

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    1. Like the correlation between haiku and Fibonacci chronology, Linda. Most interesting analogy. Jezabels are quite unforgettable visitors to my garden. Their appearance is a sign that your garden is healthy.

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  7. Oh, wow. You have stirred up some serious summer vibes in me with these beautiful poems. It is frigid here in the northern hemisphere desert where I am. The photos and Fibonacci poems are stunning.

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    1. May my summertime ruminations suitably warm you, Denise. Glad you like the words and images.

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  8. Those poems offer a glimpse of late summer that is welcome on this cold day up north.

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    1. Late summer and the living is still easy... A late hot burst in recent days, but generally milder temperatures and the inevitable slide into autumn. Stay warm, Kay

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  9. I love this form of poetry. The red spotted jezebel is quite the beauty.

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    1. I agree wholeheartedly regarding the stunning little Jezabel Butterflies, Jone. I love it when they visit our garden. So glad you like these poems.

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  10. In all three of these, your final line is simply a masterpiece -- the word choice, the final capturing of the mood of the poem. Well done!! (And like others in the Northern Hemisphere, thanks for a glimpse of late summer as winter refuses to let us out of its claws even as the daffodils and hyacinths push up! Hmm...maybe I should put on coat and scarf and head to MY garden for some Fibonacci inspiration!!)

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    1. Thank you Mary Lee for your generous response. May your venture into the garden harvest a rich array of words.

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  11. Hi, Alan. It's me, Susan T. These are great! And as Mary Lee says, those final lines are wonderful. I like the Fibonacci form, too; you remind me to give it a try again.

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    1. Hi Susan, glad you liked my Fibonacci frolic. Pleased that you want to revisit the form. Happy explorations!

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  12. "Summer's intensity
    Quelled to a mellow ripening." These lines capture the slow shift of the season so beautifully. I enjoyed all the sharp imagery you infused into your fibonaccis, Alan.

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    1. Thank you Karen. Summer has reached an advanced age down here, so it is quite understandable that its intensity has dropped off a little. Glad you enjoyed my efforts with the Fibonacci form.

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  13. Alan, your fibonacci poems are wonderful presentations on summer.

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    1. Thank you, Carol. I know your affinity for seasonal wonders. so your response is heartening.

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  14. Thanks for these three gorgeous poems Alan, and a visit into your garden too! Love your "Jezabel" poem and image, what a beautiful butterfly, I'll have to visit Australia sometime to see her… Such juicy imagery in all!

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    1. My pleasure Michelle. Our gardens put on the best displays in summer so it is a pleasure to be able share a little of the beauty of the summer season. Jezabel is a most welocme visitor...

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  15. The form, your photos, your words woven through them - all lovely. I especially love "cloaked in color" - Jezebel loves flash!

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    1. Thank you, Patricia. Jezabel is a winner-such a flashy dresser!

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  16. Thanks for sharing your time in the garden. Fibs are such a great form! These are all wonderful, but I really love "Maturing Fruit" with those amazing final lines--the move to quell intensity to "a mellow ripening". Ahhh... Like so many others, I also appreciate the sneak peek of summer plenty as we head into another winter storm ...which of course offers its own beauty.

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    1. Fibonacci are fun, no doubt about it, Molly. Thank you for your generous remarks- always appreciated. The beauty of the seasons offer a siren call to poets, They're irresistible...

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