My Sudoku Life

And I walk
across numerical figments
speaking hyperbole dialect to their imaginations.

Numb, blocky gaps
whisper invitation to secret club.

Enticing my stature
to belong
to become exponent’s side-kick.

So they can welcome me with open arms.

Coating my digits with inoperable tumors
double-knotted in hot pink laced bow
and baby-breath scent.

They even left a Walmart Rollback smiley face sticker
with crack residue on right cheek
and a comic-style bubble caption, “welcome home puppet”.

Yes!

This is exactly how Mother 1 told me it would be.

Kinda like marriage,
but less detail-oriented.

But, I could never fit in.

For I am neither positive
nor negative
about their (cult) ural ways.

Timing would always be off.

An arm from the clock that suffered a stroke at Midnight…

They’d never understand,
how they’d alter this unevenly, odd numerical figment.

For they’ll just calculate,
deduce,
my sum with rusty protractor.

This Zero, into a fraction...

© Drake J. Eszes
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Misra Avatar
May 4, 2022 at 6:08 AM
We'll, sudoku was never a favourite with me - it was always a frustrating experience for me. But I loved your poem as it took me through multilayered thoughts with the twists and turns in your poem through your imagery - much better than any sudoku. Thank you for letting me into your enigmatic maze of a brain, Tacito. Spent some tantalizing time with your poem.
Tacito Avatar
July 23, 2022 at 10:52 AM
That is greatly appreciated, Karam! Admittedly, I enjoyed Sudoku way more than I ever expected. :)
Brown Avatar
March 21, 2020 at 9:30 PM
I love "An arm from the clock that suffered a stroke at Midnight…"
Tacito Avatar
July 23, 2022 at 10:53 AM
So many thanks, Francis!
Breidenthal Avatar
April 4, 2014 at 9:04 PM
Well written this is! "They even left a Walmart Rollback smiley face sticker with crack residue on right cheek and a comic-style bubble caption, “welcome home puppet”." -Love that stanza and the last lines! So good! Thanks for sharing. Always, Laura
Ligon Avatar
January 10, 2014 at 2:21 PM
Ha ha, I used to play Sudoku, too. I love how you incorporated the game of Sudoku into real life.
Tacito Avatar
January 10, 2014 at 3:55 PM
=D Thank you for that, Juliet! The theme behind this was a request from an old friend of mine. I had a field day when she suggested the topic of the request. =)
Dietrich Avatar
July 26, 2013 at 12:33 AM
cool lines: zero into a fraction and a clock that suffered a stroke at midnight. I just loved that!!!
Tacito Avatar
July 26, 2013 at 5:40 AM
Awesome! Thanks so much, Andrea!! =D
Duncan Avatar
June 16, 2013 at 4:59 PM
My daughter is / was into sudoku for a while,,,,,, yes wandering is better then wondering, even though you say either way is good ;} glad you liked it Delights" ;}
Tacito Avatar
June 16, 2013 at 6:04 PM
Awesome! I kinda like that game too. :) Yes, either way WAS good. ;) Thanks, Debbie! Great to see you pass by here!
Hicks Avatar
May 16, 2013 at 10:34 PM
Being a sudoku addict in the past I couldn't help but click on this... lol. I'm not sure if I read this right, but I felt a very strong urge to not conform to the ways your family wants you to be. Trying to puzzle you out when the puzzle is unsolvable... I get that vibe anyway. It's a very elaborate piece to say the least.. fitting for your personality! I once wrote a long poem about how my life connected with numbers called Counting Down... it was a challenge, but that's what makes writing fun.
Tacito Avatar
May 16, 2013 at 11:47 PM
The theme of this poem was actually a "request" piece by an old friend of mine a few years ago. I love Sudoku too. So, I figured, why not? You're on the right track with the direction I was going in. Though, it wasn't about my family trying to change me or anything. :) Many thanks to you coming by again!!! :)
De Burca Avatar
May 16, 2013 at 3:08 PM
Congrats on your win, I enjoyed this very much
Tacito Avatar
May 16, 2013 at 3:16 PM
Hi there! Nice to meet you! Thanks very much!
Martin Avatar
April 22, 2013 at 4:08 PM
This is very captivating, I kept going back and noticing more and more intricacies. Fine job
Tacito Avatar
April 22, 2013 at 4:47 PM
Hey there! Good to meet you. Many thanks on you stopping by. :)
Dom Avatar
March 22, 2013 at 8:13 AM
Late bus, me, but this is such a fine write. Belated congratulations.
Tacito Avatar
March 22, 2013 at 8:57 AM
Hey Michael! Better late than pregnant, I always say! :) Many thanks!
Falgout Avatar
February 6, 2013 at 3:33 PM
Pleasure reading your poem today, congrats on your win, love debra
Tacito Avatar
March 22, 2013 at 8:56 AM
Thank you so much for that! :)
A   Avatar
October 18, 2012 at 8:52 PM
Drake..:-) congratulations with your wonderful win in the " February, 2012 Contest " It is very nice to see you on this winning list..*'.*'.*' hip hip hooray. Good night :-) always~ PD
Tacito Avatar
March 22, 2013 at 8:37 AM
Gracias!!! :)
Goudreau Avatar
September 17, 2012 at 4:17 PM
Congratulations on your well deserved win. It is a real gem! Very cleverly written! Hugs!
Tacito Avatar
September 21, 2012 at 7:31 AM
Thank you so much!!!!!! :)
Grisetti Avatar
August 5, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Congratulations on oyur win in this contest.
M V Avatar
August 1, 2012 at 11:13 PM
This is crafted marvelously,Drake.Congratulations!
Brown Avatar
August 1, 2012 at 7:59 PM
Congratulations on your win in the PoetrySoup International Contest Drake. Love, Carol
Kendrick Avatar
July 31, 2012 at 6:34 PM
((()))Congrats on your winning work..Sara
Poet Avatar
July 31, 2012 at 1:14 AM
Congrats Drake on your win!!!
Richards Avatar
July 30, 2012 at 6:42 PM
So unique and clever are you!! I love this gem! Congratulations on a well deserved win!!
Tacito Avatar
July 30, 2012 at 7:41 PM
Hey hey Carrie!!! That means a lot. Truly. :) Thanks!
Dietrich Avatar
July 30, 2012 at 3:37 PM
very powerful writing, drake. Congratulations on your success in the contest. i enjoyed this one.
Tacito Avatar
July 30, 2012 at 7:41 PM
Hey Andrea!!! :) Thank you! And to you too as well!!!
Mac Donald Avatar
July 30, 2012 at 1:24 PM
Very clever write, Drake! Congratulations on this well deserved win!! Mikki
Tacito Avatar
July 30, 2012 at 7:40 PM
Hi Michelle! I appreciate that very much. :)
Gooden Avatar
July 30, 2012 at 11:48 AM
Congrats Drake.
Tacito Avatar
July 30, 2012 at 7:40 PM
Thank you, Sherese! :)
Goff Avatar
July 29, 2012 at 8:28 PM
Amazing! Congrats! Jimbo
Tacito Avatar
July 29, 2012 at 8:55 PM
Thank you so so much, Jimbo! :)
Merryman Avatar
July 29, 2012 at 6:41 PM
Drake, congrats on your fantastic win in the international contest! Well done! Love, Kim
Tacito Avatar
July 29, 2012 at 8:56 PM
:) Thanks, Kim!
Babcock Avatar
July 29, 2012 at 5:34 PM
Congrats on your awesome win. love phyl
Tacito Avatar
July 29, 2012 at 5:42 PM
I am so beside myself right now...thank you so much, Phyllis. :)
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