It's Still Life

A Haibun: About the Number 9

I am a nine. That’s my number. You see if you take my birthdate in single digits and add them together in this order (m+m+d+d+y+y+y+y) it equals 27, and if you add 2+7 it equals 9. Any number times 9 always comes back to 9, like 9×6=54 and 5+4=9. The number 9 takes over any number that touches it. And if you add 9 with any single number, 9 will always be unchanged by the other number added to it, like 9+6=15 and 1+5=6 (nine is not changed by that number 6). Nine is the last cardinal number, it understands the connections between all of mankind, it’s a humanitarian, and sees no difference between its neighbour and the person living in a different culture on the other side of the world. Mum once said that she didn’t understand me — maybe that’s because 9 hides its heart, seems distant, hard to pinpoint. My dad said I had over-developed peripheral vision. That’s me: I am a nine.

I believe in stillness
even when nothing much
is produced from it.

AI Digital Artwork is my own, created using AI Midjourney. Imagery and poems ©Misky 2023.