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Arithmopoeia

Device
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The use of numerical patterns (e.g., syllable counts, line groupings) to generate symbolic or structural meaning in a poem.

Detailed Definition
Arithmopoeia is the poetic practice of generating verse through numerical constraints or patterns, where arithmetic principles dictate form, rhythm, or content, creating a fusion of mathematical precision and imaginative expression.
Example
Example in poetry:
Arithmopoeia in George Herbert’s “The Altar” (counted syllables); arithmopoeia in medieval number symbolism (e.g., Dante’s terza rima); arithmopoeia in Inger Christensen’s “Alphabet” (Fibonacci sequence); arithmopoeia uses numerical patterns to structure poetic form
Additional Notes
Use of numerical or mathematical structures as poetic device. Related to arithmetical progression and mathematical poetry. Oulipo frequently employs this technique. Creates constraint-based composition methods.
Also Known As
Number poetry Mathematical verse craft Numerical composition Arithmetical poetics
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