Just Another Number

Just Another Number

A Poem by Alvin L. Kathembe

 

Am I just another number

To make up the statistics;

Just another example

That proves the rule;

To back up the facts,

To make up the percentages -

A faceless, voiceless number

To balance the equation?

 

Am I just another number

Will I ever be the one

That crosses right over the zero

In life’s number line?

Am I just another number

Can my life be calculated

Boiled down and rounded off

Into another co-ordinate in the graph?

 

I am the sum of my teachers’ teachings;

The product of a broken home

The aggregate of old-fashioned ideals

Holding on to core values

Inculcated by significant figures

Puzzled by life’s equation -

Still trying to find why

And looking for X…

 

I’ll have to add a bit of wisdom

Subtract a few friends

Determined, jaw squared,

To truncate the root of all evil;

Multiply my talents

My time divide among them;

Get on a tangent with my destiny

And watch out for the signs

That time is running out

And the problem must be solved…

At the end of the day, what does it all add up to?

© 2011 Alvin L. Kathembe


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Reviews

This is a powerful piece that deals with ultimate reality. This here is a priceless gem of wisdom sparkling with unmatched talent. If you ever drop your pen I'd KILL you. AWESOME PIECE.

Am I just another number
Will I ever be the one
That crosses right over the zero
In life’s number line?
Am I just another number
Can my life be calculated
Boiled down and rounded off
Into another co-ordinate in the
graph?



Posted 12 Years Ago


A really nice poem that speaks of ones place and where one might find that one place where they might belong. Also speaks of insecurities that needs to be addressed but no one to address them to so left unanswered. I like the fact that you used math terms to make this poem. It's like your stating a fact in life and in the process of solving you problem(position in life) but come up at a blank. Anyway, this poem really connects to me!

Posted 12 Years Ago


I really like it :)

Posted 13 Years Ago


I like it:) Great job! Keep up the good work.

Posted 13 Years Ago


WOW...
i´m speechless...nice work!!!

Posted 13 Years Ago


"I am the sum of my teachers’ teachings;
The product of a broken home
The aggregate of old-fashioned ideals
Holding on to core values
Inculcated by significant figures
Puzzled by life’s equation -
Still trying to find why
And looking for X…"
This is my stanza of the Month of March! how you were inspired to come up with this poem stuns me bro! Hehe you are a force to reckon with- this is clear astounding unequivocal proof.
'Is my life anything?' i really questioned whether myself after this...which i guess was your intended effect. Excellent conception and well put.
Your writing is phenomenal man. You are a writing god-keep fine tuning. AWESOME

Posted 13 Years Ago


"I’ll have to add a bit of wisdom

Subtract a few friends

Determined, jaw squared,

To truncate the root of all evil;

Multiply my talents

My time divide among them;

Get on a tangent with my destiny

And watch out for the signs

That time is running out

And the problem must be solved…

At the end of the day, what does it all add up to?" --- This is a brilliant ending to a poem which, to me, tells how you're not content about being just another face in the crowd to the major hypocrite system and the braindead society. A beautiful claim for the right of being an individual!

Posted 13 Years Ago


"Still trying to find why/And looking for X…" -- Very unique, nice play on words here. Gotta say I loved that line.

"And watch out for the signs" -- I think it would be funny if you changed the word 'signs' to 'sines.' More wordplay, you know. But maybe that's just me.

Overall, I love this! Some of the math is a little beyond me, but most of it I understood. I liked how creative you were. I've heard life described with math a few times, but never like this. You took the concept and turned it into something that I could think about and relate to. Overall, this was fantastic. I don't really have any suggestions for this one other than the sign/sine thing. Great job! 99/100!

Posted 13 Years Ago


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J.M
Genius... the way you played with the numbers double meanings. Sometimes it does feel like there are so many of us that however hard we try to be individual we are just another number. Fabulously expressed.

Posted 13 Years Ago


Moralizing on the apparent futility of man's life and marrying it with math is great creativity!this poem i will not forget in a hurry!am sure everyone at some point has had these thots...'can my life be calculated,boiled down and rounded off....i am the sum of my teachers teachings,the product of a broken home,the aggregate of old fashoned ideas...' i just love it!

Posted 13 Years Ago



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422 Views
13 Reviews
Rating
Shelved in 2 Libraries
Added on January 5, 2011
Last Updated on February 26, 2011

Author

Alvin L. Kathembe
Alvin L. Kathembe

Nairobi, Kenya



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I write for the mind...and if I touch your heart while I'm at it, I'll take it. more..

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