At sixteen, mind ablaze with light,
I chased that puzzle through the night.
A triangle's secret, clear and true,
Of sides where whole numbers grew.

 

With paper scattered o’er my bed,
Ideas sparking all through my head.
Patterns forming as my pulse ran wild,
Even the stars, they were beguiled.

 

I found it on my own, that thread,
Where ancient minds like Euclid led.
Though not the first, I still could see
The genius lived inside of me.

 

Next day I shared my daring claim,
Then Mr. Jolley called my name.
He let me teach the whole class through—
With chalk in hand, a proud debut.

 

LeGrand, the sharpest of them all,
Stopped to praise me in the hall.
My parents beamed, my heart took flight,
I dreamed being in TV’s spotlight.

 

I found it on my own, that thread,
Where ancient minds like Euclid led.
Though not the first, I still could see
The genius lived inside of me.

 

When later told it wasn't new,
That Euclid also found it too,
I felt the sting, but still I knew—
I'd lit a flame and followed through.

 

For in that rush, that sleepless climb,
I felt that glow, my mind sublime.
The math was old—but not the thrill
Of learning how I’d matched their skill.

 

I found it on my own, that thread,
Where ancient minds like Euclid led.
Though not the first, I still could see
The genius lived inside of me.