a self-defining mathematical sestina

[jrtom]

via maradydd: http://www.math.pacificu.edu/~emmons/dox/S_estina.pdf

and for a bonus: http://www.math.pacificu.edu/~emmons/AllPoems/

Douglas Hofstadter, please call your office...

Comments

[mudita88.livejournal.com]

Wah...I'm disappointed that this sestina isn't actually a sestina, since the concluding line of each stanza is not a permutation of the same 6 words (let alone the CORRECT permutation).

ref http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sestina

But it's a cool idea, and a nice layout...

[jrtom.livejournal.com]

I haven't checked the correctness of the permutation, but the set of words used to conclude lines (i.e., {form, symmetries, sestina, six, group, permutations}) appears to be the same for all stanzas--where does it fail to do that?

[mudita88.livejournal.com]

Ohhhh...I misunderstood the form! I was thinking the last line of each stanza was to have the same 6 words in the permutations...

Please replace my disappointment with a blend of chagrin and utter delight!!!

[jrtom.livejournal.com]

A replacement--at least in the latter aspect--that I'm always happy to make. :)