One
I am Brahma
the straight line, the upright being,
fire that flares,
seed without end, manifold
self beyond all
polarity, radiating sun:
the all.
Philosophers considered one a non-number,
generatrix of all that follows.
Other.
The singularity. The lone.
From the Indo-European oi-qos we achieve solitude,
while the collective meaning of one derives from the Sanskrit sam.
United in itself, it changes nothing,
becoming everything.
On its side it represents the horizon.
Alone is all-one.
The Latin non is one negated, as is the German nein.
Symbol of intellect, the Hindu moon glows wide.
Atomic number of hydrogen, magician’s numeral,
monad and eccentric, I bear the empty product.
“One” last appeared here in April 2017.
I do like the way you have woven the threads from different cultures in these lines. Congratulations Robert.
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Thanks, John. Number words fascinate me!
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This is one, if not my favourite poem of yours, that first line always gets me.
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Thanks, Daniel. The amiable ethnomusicologist also likes that line. I must have done something right!
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Yes I remember that we share a love of that line, tis a Billy Boster.
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I’m not sure what a Billy Boster is, but if it translates to “it doesn’t suck,” I’m well pleased.
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Pretty much. I think he was a Viz comic character. It is said in my town to mean very good. Bosting is slang for great.
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I LOVE that line. If you read up on the history of religion(s) in India and/or Hinduism, you will see just how profound those words are.
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Yeah must agree, this is a favorite of mine too
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Thank you, Candice!
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