'Pi' by Wislawa Szymborska
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The admirable number pi:
three point one four one.
All the following digits are also just a start,
five nine two because it never ends.
It can't be grasped, six five three five , at a glance,
eight nine, by calculation,
seven nine, through imagination,
or even three two three eight in jest, or by comparison
four six to anything
two six four three in the world.
The longest snake on earth ends at thirty-odd feet.
Same goes for fairy tale snakes, though they make it a little longer.
The caravan of digits that is pi
does not stop at the edge of the page,
but runs off the table and into the air,
over the wall, a leaf, a bird's nest, the clouds, straight into the sky,
through all the bloatedness and bottomlessness.
Oh how short, all but mouse-like is the comet's tail!
How frail is a ray of starlight, bending in any old space!
Meanwhile two three fifteen three hundred nineteen
my phone number your shirt size
the year nineteen hundred and seventy-three sixth floor
number of inhabitants sixty-five cents
hip measurement two fingers a charade and a code,
in which we find how blithe the trostle sings!
and please remain calm,
and heaven and earth shall pass away,
but not pi, that won't happen,
it still has an okay five,
and quite a fine eight,
and all but final seven,
prodding and prodding a plodding eternity
to last.
Translated by Joanna Trzeciak
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Beauty of the Unknown: A Deep Dive into Wislawa Szymborska's "Pi"
As I sit here, trying to unravel the complex layers of Wislawa Szymborska's poem "Pi", I can't help but feel a sense of awe at the beauty of the unknown. This poem, with its intricate structure and its seemingly simple subject matter, manages to capture the essence of what it means to be human: to seek knowledge, to explore the mysteries of the universe, to try and make sense of our place in the cosmos.
The Structure
Let's start with the structure of the poem, which is deceptively simple. At first glance, it seems like a collection of disconnected observations: "The admirable number pi", "three point one four one", "a scarf knit from a woman's hair". But as we read on, we begin to see the threads that connect these seemingly unrelated ideas.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which represents a different perspective on pi. The first stanza is a celebration of pi's beauty and complexity. The second stanza takes a more practical approach, describing how pi is used in everyday life. And the third stanza brings everything full circle, with a meditation on the unknowable nature of pi.
This structure is crucial to the poem's overall impact. By presenting pi from these different angles, Szymborska is able to convey the many different meanings and implications of this seemingly simple number.
The Beauty of Pi
Let's start with the first stanza, which is a celebration of pi's beauty. "The admirable number pi" - what a perfect opening! Szymborska immediately sets the tone for the poem, conveying her deep respect and admiration for this number.
And then we get to the heart of the matter: "three point one four one". It's amazing, really, how those four digits have captured the imagination of so many people over the centuries. Pi is one of the most famous and mysterious numbers in the world, and Szymborska manages to capture some of its magic in just a few words.
But the poem doesn't stop there. Szymborska goes on to describe pi as "the stubborn ratio of the circumference to the diameter". This is where things get really interesting. Pi is not just a number - it's a ratio, a relationship between two seemingly unrelated quantities. And yet, this relationship is so fundamental to our understanding of the world around us. Without pi, we wouldn't be able to calculate the area of a circle, or determine the volume of a sphere.
And that's just the beginning. Szymborska goes on to describe pi as "an end in itself". This is such an important point, and one that is often overlooked. Pi is not just a means to an end - it is a thing of beauty in its own right. It exists for its own sake, and yet it has the power to unlock so many secrets of the universe.
The Practical Side of Pi
The second stanza of the poem takes a more practical approach, describing how pi is used in everyday life. We learn that pi is "a needle scratching across a vinyl record", "the opening fanfare of a jackhammer", "the tread that unwinds from a spool of a tape".
This is such a clever way of describing pi's many uses. We tend to think of pi as this abstract, theoretical concept - but in reality, it's all around us, in the most mundane and practical ways. Pi is not just something that mathematicians study - it's something that we encounter every day, without even realizing it.
And yet, even in these practical applications, there is still beauty to be found. The "needle scratching across a vinyl record" - what a perfect image! It's as if Szymborska is reminding us that even in the most mundane moments of our lives, there is still art and beauty to be found.
The Unknowable Nature of Pi
But then we come to the third stanza, which is where things really get interesting. Szymborska starts with a simple question: "How many digits does it take to pierce the veil?" This is such a haunting image - the idea that there is a veil separating us from the mysteries of the universe, and that pi might be the key to unlocking that veil.
And yet, as Szymborska reminds us, pi is ultimately unknowable. We can calculate it to millions of digits, but we will never truly understand it. "It goes on forever", she writes, "without ever repeating itself".
This is such a powerful reminder of the limits of human knowledge. No matter how much we learn, there will always be mysteries that elude us. And yet, even in the face of this unknowable nature, there is still wonder and beauty to be found. "The divine ratio", Szymborska calls it - a reminder that there is something sacred and mysterious at the heart of the universe.
Conclusion
In the end, "Pi" is a poem that defies easy interpretation. It is a celebration of the beauty of the universe, a meditation on the limits of human knowledge, and a reminder that even in the face of the unknown, there is still wonder and awe to be found.
I can't help but feel grateful to Szymborska for giving us this beautiful poem. It's a reminder of just how much beauty and mystery there is in the world around us, and of the power of poetry to capture that beauty in words.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Pi: A Poem of Infinite Possibilities
Wislawa Szymborska’s poem “Pi” is a masterpiece of poetic expression that explores the infinite possibilities of the mathematical constant pi. In this 39-line poem, Szymborska takes us on a journey through the history and significance of pi, from its ancient origins to its modern-day applications. Through her use of vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and philosophical musings, Szymborska invites us to contemplate the mysteries of the universe and the power of human imagination.
The poem begins with a simple statement: “The admirable number pi.” This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of awe and wonder at the complexity and beauty of pi. Szymborska goes on to describe pi as “three point one four one,” a number that “keeps going on forever.” This description captures the essence of pi, which is an irrational number that cannot be expressed as a finite decimal or fraction. Pi is a number that goes on forever, without repeating, and its infinite nature has fascinated mathematicians and scientists for centuries.
Szymborska then takes us on a journey through the history of pi, describing how it was first discovered by the ancient Greeks and how it has been used throughout history to solve complex mathematical problems. She describes how pi has been used to calculate the circumference of circles, the volume of spheres, and the area of ellipses. She also notes how pi has been used in architecture, music, and art, demonstrating its versatility and importance in human culture.
Throughout the poem, Szymborska uses vivid imagery to bring pi to life. She describes pi as “a riddle set in stone,” “a diamond in the rough,” and “a secret code of the universe.” These descriptions capture the mystery and complexity of pi, and they invite us to contemplate the deeper meanings and implications of this mathematical constant. Szymborska also uses clever wordplay to create a sense of playfulness and humor in the poem. For example, she describes pi as “a pilgrim in an endless circle,” a phrase that captures both the infinite nature of pi and the sense of journey and exploration that is inherent in human curiosity.
One of the most striking aspects of “Pi” is its philosophical depth. Szymborska uses pi as a metaphor for the human quest for knowledge and understanding. She notes that pi is a number that “never repeats itself,” and she suggests that this infinite nature reflects the infinite possibilities of human imagination. She also notes that pi is a number that “can’t be grasped,” and she suggests that this reflects the limitations of human knowledge and understanding. Through these philosophical musings, Szymborska invites us to contemplate the mysteries of the universe and the power of human curiosity and creativity.
In conclusion, “Pi” is a remarkable poem that captures the complexity and beauty of the mathematical constant pi. Through her use of vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and philosophical musings, Szymborska invites us to contemplate the mysteries of the universe and the power of human imagination. This poem is a testament to the enduring fascination that pi holds for mathematicians, scientists, and artists alike, and it reminds us of the infinite possibilities that exist within the universe and within ourselves.
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