Such Magic in Numbers

A Work in Progress

80

Once upon a time people counted on fingers

when they did mathematics, they used base ten

or sometimes base sixty like for telling time

or some used base twelve, one fifth of sixty

such magic in the numbers different cultures chose

musical instruments were the first computers

from them came chords, also cacophony

now they can read and write compose and perform

they can fit in your pocket or embed in your ear

transmitting signals from space you can hear

in the digital world bits are switched on or off

in quantum computing they can be in between

something akin to human perception 

flashes of cognition when our brains intuit

an idea inexpressible without quick wit

digital computers don’t count on their fingers

they have their AI fingers crossed these days

glibly conveying with a robot’s confidence

facts and more facts even alternative facts

whatever was programmed into their software stacks 

once upon a time when the world was simpler

people might meet at a bar or go paseo 

talking country to country by phone was cool

now computers compel all our attention

lest we protest democracy’s suspension

Dick Russell © Richard M Russell

                        2025