This is the sum of… – Review
dust motes floating in the shaft of sunlight coming through a library’s tall windows
plus
the smell of coffee
plus
how that cloud resembles a palace
plus
tree leaves changing from a safe green to a fiery orange/red, like each stem is a lit match
plus
saying “effervescence” out loud
plus
…
You may find the rest of the poem here.
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Analysis
In This is the sum of…, the poet takes a series of small, everyday moments and weaves them together into a picture of a pleasant, quietly content day. The poem focuses on the ordinary—things like the smell of coffee, the sound of a baby giggling, or the feel of a crisp apple picked on an afternoon outing—but by gathering them together, the poet creates something larger, something richer than the sum of its parts. What’s striking about the poem is how these fleeting moments come together to form a complete experience, one that’s full of life, humor, and simple joy. The poem doesn’t try to capture grand or dramatic events, but instead celebrates the tiny details that often go unnoticed, showing that these small things are, in fact, what make life meaningful.
The poem’s structure reflects this idea of accumulation. The repeated use of “plus” creates a sense of addition, almost like a formula or mathematical equation. Each line adds a new detail to the picture, building on what came before, and the structure mimics the process of gathering sensory experiences throughout a day. It’s as if each “plus” represents a small, separate moment that, when put together, creates a larger whole. The poet plays with the idea of “addition,” not just in the structural sense, but also in the way each moment contributes to the overall feeling of the poem. The “plus” doesn’t just connect fragments; it suggests that every small moment has value, that each contributes to a greater richness. In this way, the poem feels like a series of equations, where the sum of these sensory experiences equals a beautiful, balanced whole.
The sensory moments in the poem—dust motes in sunlight, the smell of coffee, the sight of a cloud resembling a palace—are common experiences, yet they become extraordinary because the poet draws attention to them. These images could easily be overlooked, but when placed next to each other, they form a kind of rhythm, a flow that mimics the pulse of a day. The comparison of tree leaves changing from green to fiery red “like each stem is a lit match” adds energy to the poem, while the act of saying “effervescence” out loud introduces a playful moment, suggesting that even a word can create something alive and bubbling. In this sense, the poem captures how even the smallest details—things that seem insignificant on their own—are vital pieces in the puzzle of life.
At the same time, the poem doesn’t shy away from the imperfections of a day. The mention of Harold’s endless talk about fantasy football is a reminder that not every moment is perfect. Some are annoying, some are trivial, but they’re all part of the fabric of a real day. The poet doesn’t hide this fact but instead incorporates it into the experience, adding to the feeling of authenticity. In this way, the poem feels grounded in the everyday, capturing not just the moments of peace and beauty, but also the moments of irritation and mundanity. It’s this balance between the small joys and small annoyances that makes the poem feel true to life.
The tone of the poem is light and almost playful. The poet doesn’t take these moments too seriously but instead revels in their simplicity. The lightheartedness of the poem is underscored by the warm, quiet appreciation of everyday life. There’s no rush in the way the poet describes these moments. The description of a cat sleeping in a sunspot or the sound of rain tapping on a car roof is full of a kind of gentle mindfulness. The poet isn’t asking us to analyze or reflect too deeply; instead, the invitation is to notice and appreciate the small moments that make up a life. It’s a reminder to slow down and savor what’s around us.
In the end, This is the sum of… is a celebration of life’s simplicity. It shows how the small things—moments of sensory pleasure, fleeting thoughts, even the minor inconveniences—add up to create something full, something rich. The poem offers a picture of a day well-lived, not because of any one moment, but because of all the tiny things that contribute to the larger experience. There’s nothing dramatic here, but that’s the point. The beauty of the poem lies in how it reveals the quiet joys that make up a good day. It suggests that we don’t need grand events to feel alive—just a collection of small, simple moments that, when gathered together, form a life that’s full and complete.
On Mathematics and Poetry
To delve more into the details of how Mathematics and Poetry are interrelated, check out these three articles:
STEM Series: Discovering Math in Poetry – From Acorn Naturalists
How Poetry and Math Intersect – From the Smithsonian
The Patterns of Poetry: On the Mathematical and Poetic Value of Numbers – From Lit Hub
Photo by Piero Nigro on Unsplash
