Fibonacci Poetry
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Yes, you can mix math and poetry.
The Fibonacci sequence and poetry might not seem like a natural combination, but the mix of the two can be quite interesting and fun. This lens will explore how the two merge, as well as discuss my own experiences with Fibonacci poetry. Plus, I'll toss in a quick "how-to" lesson for those who might be inspired to create their own poetry.
For starters, the Fibonacci sequence....
Basically, every number in a Fibonacci sequence is the sum of the two numbers before it. So, if you begin your sequence 0, 1, then the math and progression goes....
0+1 = 1 leading to a sequence of 0, 1, 1
1+1 = 2 leading to 0, 1, 1, 2
1+2 = 3 leading to 0, 1, 1, 2, 3
2+3 = 5 leading to 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5
This can continue infinitely. If you're fascinated by math, there's much more detailed information on the numbers and the sequence here, but in terms of Fibonacci poetry, this is more than enough to get you started.
Fibonacci, poetry and Fibonacci poetry
A Fibonacci poem is a poem where the number of syllables in each line tracks the numbers in the Fibonacci sequence. So, the first line of the poem has 1 syllable (or 0 for a beat of silence, if you're a purist!), and then is followed by lines of 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 syllables and onward as far as the poet wishes to go. The form is traditionally non-rhyming... but it can rhyme if you want it to.
Poets have written poems starting with higher Fibonacci number syllable lines and "counting backwards" to smaller syllable lines as well as writing up to a certain number of syllables and then reversing, creating a "stacked" poem.
Some people have used the Fibonacci numbers to count words instead of syllables. Others have used it to count sentences instead, though this quickly leads to novel length works. The key in all these forms is that the Fibonacci numbers work as a guideline to the form but not to the contents of the poetry itself.
Poets have written poems starting with higher Fibonacci number syllable lines and "counting backwards" to smaller syllable lines as well as writing up to a certain number of syllables and then reversing, creating a "stacked" poem.
Some people have used the Fibonacci numbers to count words instead of syllables. Others have used it to count sentences instead, though this quickly leads to novel length works. The key in all these forms is that the Fibonacci numbers work as a guideline to the form but not to the contents of the poetry itself.
I told a Fib, and soon lot of folks were Fibbing!
On April 1, 2006, I put up a post on my blog suggesting that folks spread Fibs -- my name for 6 line, 20 syllable poems based on the Fibonacci sequence -- around the Web to celebrate National Poetry Month. By the end of April, more than 1,000 Fibs had been written in the comments of my blog alone, Fibs had hit the New York Times, and threads of Fibs were sprouting up all around. I write lots of different types of poetry, but I'll always have a sweet spot for Fibs... and I'm still writing them all the time.
A very quick "how-to" guide to Fibs
It's as easy as 1, 1, 2, 3!
A Fib is 6 lines long and only has 20 syllables. Here's how the syllables per line look:
1
1
2
3
5
8
Here's an example of my own:
One
Small,
Precise,
Poetic,
Spiraling mixture:
Math plus poetry yields the Fib.
I try not to use words like "the" or "a" in the one syllable lines, and I mention some other guidelines in this post on my blog. I use Fibs as a "warm up" exercise for my writing day, and it really does help me focus on word choice and clarity (and brevity!). But whether you're writing Fibs or another type of Fibonacci poem or any poetry at all and for whatever reason, the most important thing is to write!
1
1
2
3
5
8
Here's an example of my own:
One
Small,
Precise,
Poetic,
Spiraling mixture:
Math plus poetry yields the Fib.
I try not to use words like "the" or "a" in the one syllable lines, and I mention some other guidelines in this post on my blog. I use Fibs as a "warm up" exercise for my writing day, and it really does help me focus on word choice and clarity (and brevity!). But whether you're writing Fibs or another type of Fibonacci poem or any poetry at all and for whatever reason, the most important thing is to write!
Feedback and Fibs
Say hello or leave a Fib or two....
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istalkyouO_O
Apr 26, 2012 @ 12:25 pm | delete
- psst.. I go to STPA too :)
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TROLOLO
Apr 24, 2012 @ 9:30 pm | delete
- I have to make 2 Fibs for my Algebra 1 class. This is DEFINITELY more English than math. >:(
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Roly
Apr 24, 2012 @ 9:59 pm | delete
- hey me too, do i know u, STPA?
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KyoCatLover
Mar 26, 2012 @ 3:04 pm | delete
- This thing was a HUGE help. Thanks! :0 ;p
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krevonice morgan
Mar 20, 2012 @ 4:05 pm | delete
- hello i love Fibonacci because its a great way to write.
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electrozoid
Oct 16, 2011 @ 8:42 am | delete
- just write a sentence, then just break up the parts into 1 syllable then into another 1 syllable, then 2, then 3 then 5, and so on! easy.
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observant
Oct 5, 2011 @ 5:24 pm | delete
- I apologize. I should have thought of that before i made the comment.
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observant
Oct 4, 2011 @ 5:42 pm | delete
- that "example" is not an original, it is used all over the web to describe a fib poem.
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Gregory_K
Oct 4, 2011 @ 6:10 pm | delete
- Hi, Observant - that example is used all over the web... yet it is an original of mine. If you'd like, you can track it back to here: http://gottabook.blogspot.com/2006/04/fib.html
Greg
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TROLOLO
Apr 24, 2012 @ 9:33 pm | delete
- Holy CRAP! Are you serious? I thought that Gregory K. Pincus was some long dead guy who did some serious research on Fibs..... LOL
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A few Fib spots on the web....
Want to submit some Fibs for possible publication? Want to read good/funny Fibs? Here are a few places to look....
- the fib review
- A journal devoted solely to Fibonacci poetry with submissions accepted year round.
- The Style Invitational Fib contest results
- The Washington Post's Style Invitational used Fibs as part of a weekly contest. This link has the very funny, smart results.
- Fibs on Slashdot
- Wonderful Fibs and other math-y poetry in the comments here...
- Fibs all around....
- This takes you to a post on my blog where I collected links to various places folks were writing Fibs online. Also, if you look along the right hand side of the blog, there are links to lots of other Fib related stuff on the right hand side.
- Syllable Counter
- If you're writing Fibs (or Haiku or any other syllable specific form), this online syllable counter does a mighty fine job of telling you if you've done a mighty fine job!
by Gregory_K
I'm an author, blogger, screenwriter, and volunteer school librarian who loves children's poetry, picture books, and chocolate. more »
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