Fib
Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 5:30 pm
The 'fib' is a form based on the Fibonacci sequence. It was first brought to public attention by Gregory K. Pincus on 1st April 2006 in his blog, and since then, has swept the internet. Why? It's easy, and addictive. To write one, start with a one syllable line, then a two syllable line, then continue with each line's syllable count being the sum of the previous two, ie, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc. The classic fib (if there can already be such a thing) stops at 8, but plenty go further.
I find the form lends itself to throwaway fun poems. I've rarely seen anything very profound expressed in one, but the form's very new, so who knows what will happen. Here are a few of my own, to give you the idea.
Health and Safety at Work
If
the axe
is dirty
caked in nasty germs
(not sterilised, in other words)
I’m
afraid
you could get
a very nasty
infection (septicaemia).
That
is why
I will be
extremely careful,
though why it matters, I’m not sure.
It’s
not as
if you will
survive having your
head chopped off. Eh? Your majesty?
In the Beginning
I
started
out as a
small primeval blob –
a blip in a hot thermal spring
but
wanting
so much more –
a husband, children.
So I evolved, and here I am.
I
wonder.
Was it right
to do all of that?
Or should I have remained alone?
(I
doubt if
single cells
spend this time of year
worrying about Christmas gifts.)
If
only
I could go
back to summer
in the boiling hot springs of life.
But
No. It’s
not to be.
I have to conform,
have to join the queues and the rush.
So
listen,
good people.
Evolution sucks.
I mean it folks. Just don’t go there.
mud pies and moonbeams
I
like to
make mud pies
or maybe rabbits
but the soil must be full of clay
or the rabbits’ ears fall off, and that is annoying
I
like to
feel soil squidge
between my fingers
as I mould it into the shape
of a pie or rabbit or whatever else I make
I
like to
eat mud pies
but then mum gets cross
and says that rabbit is better
as she wipes the mud from my hands, face, fingers and mouth
I
like to
trip across
moonbeams with rabbits
running hoppity hop, but mum
says my head is in the clouds and I’ll be late for tea
Edited 15/9/07
PLEASE NOTE
Since writing the above, it's been pointed out to me that you need TWO single syllable lines at the start of an authentic 'fib', as the sequence begins 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 etc. Sincere apologies for getting this wrong.
I find the form lends itself to throwaway fun poems. I've rarely seen anything very profound expressed in one, but the form's very new, so who knows what will happen. Here are a few of my own, to give you the idea.
Health and Safety at Work
If
the axe
is dirty
caked in nasty germs
(not sterilised, in other words)
I’m
afraid
you could get
a very nasty
infection (septicaemia).
That
is why
I will be
extremely careful,
though why it matters, I’m not sure.
It’s
not as
if you will
survive having your
head chopped off. Eh? Your majesty?
In the Beginning
I
started
out as a
small primeval blob –
a blip in a hot thermal spring
but
wanting
so much more –
a husband, children.
So I evolved, and here I am.
I
wonder.
Was it right
to do all of that?
Or should I have remained alone?
(I
doubt if
single cells
spend this time of year
worrying about Christmas gifts.)
If
only
I could go
back to summer
in the boiling hot springs of life.
But
No. It’s
not to be.
I have to conform,
have to join the queues and the rush.
So
listen,
good people.
Evolution sucks.
I mean it folks. Just don’t go there.
mud pies and moonbeams
I
like to
make mud pies
or maybe rabbits
but the soil must be full of clay
or the rabbits’ ears fall off, and that is annoying
I
like to
feel soil squidge
between my fingers
as I mould it into the shape
of a pie or rabbit or whatever else I make
I
like to
eat mud pies
but then mum gets cross
and says that rabbit is better
as she wipes the mud from my hands, face, fingers and mouth
I
like to
trip across
moonbeams with rabbits
running hoppity hop, but mum
says my head is in the clouds and I’ll be late for tea
Edited 15/9/07
PLEASE NOTE
Since writing the above, it's been pointed out to me that you need TWO single syllable lines at the start of an authentic 'fib', as the sequence begins 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 etc. Sincere apologies for getting this wrong.
These are brilliant Delph...
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