On January 30, the wonderful and versatile poet, Linda Pastan (1932-2023) died. Here at the Poetry Foundation website is a brief bio of Pastan along with ninety-six of her poems -- including the mathy poems "Arithmetic Lesson: Infinity" and "Counting Backwards". This link leads to previous mentions of Pastan and her work in tis blog. And below, one of my favorites of her poems, "Algebra" -- which I also posted at this link back in November, 2013.
Algebra by Linda Pastan
I used to solve equations easily.
If train A left Sioux Falls
at nine o'clock, traveling
at a fixed rate,
I knew when it would meet train B.
Now I wonder if the trains will crash;
or else I picture naked limbs
through Pullman windows, each
a small vignette of longing.
shuttled it back and forth
like a poor goat
across the equal sign.
X was the unknown on a motor bike,
those autumn days when leaves flew past
the color of pencil shavings.
Obedient as a genie, it gave me answers
to what I thought were questions.
Unsolved equations later, and winter now,
I know X better than I did.
His is the scarecrow's bitter mouth
sewn shut in cross-stitch;
the footprint of a weasel on snow.
X is the unknown assailant.
X marks the spot
towards which we speed like trains,
at a fixed rate.
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