The Numbers Poem by RIC BASTASA

i think i am beginning to know the numbers
their meanings

inside the big dome the dancers are practicing
the steps are numbered
and the whole day the leader keeps the count

one two three four
five six
seven eight nine ten

eight seven six five
four three
two one

four three two one
five six seven eight
eight seven six five four three
two one

the whole day for the whole week for the whole month
these numbers are counted like


one two three four
five six
seven eight nine ten

eight seven six five
four three
two one

four three two one
five six seven eight
eight seven six five four three
two one


i am standing by the door
looking at the dancers jump to the count of

six five four three
two one

they run and stop and run again
and stamp on the left and on the right
and point and slash
and jump and
kick and sway and
stand and kneel
and kick and slash

eight seven six five
four three two one

four three
four three two one

numbers indeed
are numbing

they make us numb
they are making us dumb

five four three two one.