Saturday, January 16, 2010

the way of all integers

all the friction here created
by multiplying these fractions
has left the top halves elated
with a bargain in reactions

when numbers stick and move and cross
when denominators French kiss
though their hearts are still filled with loss
for the old better halves they miss

some grow top-heavy and weary
toss out their cheating vinculum
to mixed-number vulgarity
where the parts won’t equal the sum

a reciprocal look’s nothing
but a common factor’s “whether”
with integrities of a fling
a “should” gets cancelled by pleasure

but if moonlight carves out a care
slides hurt into a solidus
then whatever’s left will still bear
night’s ratio without a fuss