Finding the punchline: On applications of graph theory and combinatorics in Canadian ´pataphysical poetry

Looking at the works of Canadian poets bpNichol and Christian Bok examined are the applications of graph theory and combinatorics to ´pataphysical poems. A ´pataphysical poem is one which is seen as poetry which mocks science. However, these poems require knowledge of mathematics on the part of the poet. An analysis of bpNichol´s Sixteen Lilypads uses elements of graph theory and provides a new reading method. Given is the result that the poem Probable Systems 15 has no solution for a variety of chosen bases and theorize about the implications this makes to seeing a poem as an equation. Further applications of mathematics and computers to the analysis of poetry are speculated upon.