'Numbers' by Mary Cornish
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I like the generosity of numbers.
The way, for example,
they are willing to count
anything or anyone:
two pickles, one door to the room,
eight dancers dressed as swans.
I like the domesticity of addition--
add two cups of milk and stir--
the sense of plenty: six plums
on the ground, three more
falling from the tree.
And multiplication's school
of fish times fish,
whose silver bodies breed
beneath the shadow
of a boat.
Even subtraction is never loss,
just addition somewhere else:
five sparrows take away two,
the two in someone else's
garden now.
There's an amplitude to long division,
as it opens Chinese take-out
box by paper box,
inside every folded cookie
a new fortune.
And I never fail to be surprised
by the gift of an odd remainder,
footloose at the end:
forty-seven divided by eleven equals four,
with three remaining.
Three boys beyond their mothers' call,
two Italians off to the sea,
one sock that isn't anywhere you look.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Numbers" by Mary Cornish: A Poem that Counts Beyond Digits
Are numbers just digits to count with or do they hold a deeper meaning? Mary Cornish's poem "Numbers" explores this question by personifying numbers and imbuing them with human qualities. Through her use of metaphor, imagery, and rhyme, Cornish shows us that numbers are not just mathematical tools but also a reflection of our emotions, memories, and experiences.
Overview of the Poem
The poem begins with the speaker asking us to imagine a world without numbers. The absence of numbers creates chaos and confusion as people struggle to communicate and make sense of their surroundings. The speaker then introduces us to numbers, who are described as "companions" that we can rely on. The poem goes on to personify numbers as beings with personalities and emotions. We are told that numbers can be "pleased" and "smiling," or "angry" and "stubborn." The poem then ends with the speaker asking us to reflect on our own relationship with numbers and what they mean to us.
Metaphor and Imagery
The use of metaphor and imagery is central to the poem's exploration of the meaning of numbers. Cornish personifies numbers, which allows her to explore their emotional significance. By describing numbers as "friends," "companions," and "beings," Cornish imbues them with human qualities. This personification allows us to see numbers from a new perspective, as more than just abstract symbols.
Cornish's use of imagery also helps to convey the emotional significance of numbers. For example, when she describes the number 3 as "a triad, a trinity, a family," we can visualize the number as a group of three people. This image helps us to see the number as more than just a digit, but as a symbol of unity and connection. Similarly, when Cornish describes the number 7 as "a seagull flying, a sailor's luck," we can visualize the number as a bird or a ship, which helps us to see it as a symbol of adventure and freedom.
Rhyme and Rhythm
The poem's rhyme and rhythm also contribute to its meaning. The poem is written in quatrains, with an ABAB rhyme scheme, which creates a sense of order and stability. This structure reflects the way that numbers provide a sense of structure in our lives. The poem also has a consistent meter, with four stressed syllables in each line. This creates a steady, almost musical, rhythm that reinforces the idea of numbers as a constant presence in our lives.
Themes
The poem touches on several themes, including the importance of communication, the role of memory, and the significance of emotions. The poem suggests that numbers are a means of communication, allowing us to share information and ideas. Without numbers, we would be unable to express ourselves or make sense of the world around us.
The poem also suggests that numbers play a role in our memories. When the speaker describes the number 4 as "the number of doors on a DeSoto," she is referencing a specific memory. This suggests that numbers can act as triggers for our memories and experiences.
Finally, the poem explores the emotional significance of numbers. By personifying numbers and describing them as having emotions, Cornish suggests that numbers are more than just abstract symbols. They have the power to affect our emotions and shape our experiences.
Interpretation
So, what is the meaning of this poem? While there is no one definitive interpretation, we can read "Numbers" as a meditation on the role of numbers in our lives. Cornish suggests that numbers are more than just mathematical tools. They are symbols of our emotions, memories, and experiences. They provide structure and meaning to our lives, allowing us to communicate and make sense of the world around us.
At the same time, the poem acknowledges that numbers can be frustrating and confusing. When the speaker describes the number 9 as "an upside-down 6," she is highlighting the arbitrary nature of numbers. The poem reminds us that while numbers provide structure and meaning, they are also human inventions that can be flawed and imperfect.
Ultimately, "Numbers" is a poem that encourages us to reflect on our own relationship with numbers. What do numbers mean to us? How do they shape our experiences and emotions? By exploring these questions, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the role of numbers in our lives. And we can see that, while numbers may be just digits, they count for a lot more than we might think.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Numbers: A Poem of Wonder and Reflection
Mary Cornish’s poem “Numbers” is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the nature of numbers and their significance in our lives. Through a series of vivid and imaginative images, Cornish invites us to contemplate the many ways in which numbers shape our world and our understanding of it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, as well as its structure and language, to gain a deeper appreciation of its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a simple and yet profound statement: “I like the way numbers feel.” This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of wonder and delight in the world of numbers. Cornish goes on to describe the various ways in which numbers manifest themselves in our lives, from the “roundness” of zero to the “pointiness” of one. She also notes the different qualities that numbers possess, such as the “stubbornness” of two and the “loneliness” of seven.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of vivid and imaginative imagery to convey the qualities of numbers. For example, Cornish describes the number three as “a real charmer” with “a way of sliding into a room / unnoticed, then making it clear / that she’s been there all along.” This personification of numbers gives them a sense of personality and character, making them more relatable and tangible to the reader.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea that numbers are not just abstract concepts, but are deeply embedded in the natural world. Cornish notes that “numbers are like breath” and “like the wind, they are everywhere.” This suggests that numbers are not just human inventions, but are part of the fabric of the universe itself. This idea is reinforced by the poem’s use of natural imagery, such as the “spiral of a shell” and the “swirl of a galaxy,” to describe the patterns and shapes that numbers create.
The poem also explores the role that numbers play in our daily lives, from the “tick-tock” of a clock to the “mile markers” on a highway. Cornish notes that numbers are “the measure of our days” and “the currency of our dreams,” suggesting that they are intimately connected to our sense of time and purpose. This idea is further developed in the poem’s final stanza, which describes the “infinity” of numbers and their ability to inspire us to “reach beyond ourselves / toward the infinite possibilities / of the universe.”
In terms of structure, the poem is divided into six stanzas of varying lengths, each of which explores a different aspect of the theme of numbers. The poem’s use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase across multiple lines, creates a sense of flow and continuity that mirrors the endlessness of numbers themselves. The poem also makes use of repetition, with certain phrases and images recurring throughout the poem, such as the “roundness” of zero and the “infinity” of numbers.
Finally, it is worth noting the poem’s use of language, which is both simple and elegant. Cornish’s use of metaphor and personification gives the poem a sense of depth and richness, while her choice of words and phrasing creates a musicality that is both pleasing to the ear and evocative of the poem’s themes. For example, the phrase “the stubbornness of two” has a certain weight and solidity to it, while the phrase “the pointiness of one” has a sharpness and clarity that perfectly captures the essence of the number.
In conclusion, Mary Cornish’s poem “Numbers” is a beautiful and thought-provoking work that invites us to contemplate the many ways in which numbers shape our world and our understanding of it. Through its use of vivid imagery, natural motifs, and elegant language, the poem captures the wonder and delight that numbers inspire in us, while also reminding us of their deep significance in our daily lives. Whether we are counting the seconds on a clock or contemplating the mysteries of the universe, numbers are always with us, guiding us and inspiring us to reach beyond ourselves toward the infinite possibilities of the world around us.
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