This is a pneumonic device for remembering the digits in Pi. The number of letters in each word in the poem represents a digit in Pi. Memorize the poem, and memorize Pi. Or just know that you could memorize Pi if you wanted to.

3 – Now

1 – I

4 – defy

1 – a

5 – tenet

9 – gallantly

Now I defy a tenet gallantly Of circle canon law: these integers Importing circles’ quotients are, we see, Unwieldy long series of cockle burs Put all together, get no clarity; Mnemonics shan’t describeth so reformed Creating, with a grammercy plainly, A sonnet liberated yet conformed. Strangely, the queer’st rules I manipulate Being followéd, do facilitate Whimsical musings from geometric bard. This poesy, unabashed as it’s distressed, Evolvéd coherent – a simple test, Discov’ring poetry no numerals jarred.

Celebrate Pi Day on (when else) March 13th.

And then there is this book: Pi to Five Million Places... which I don’t know whether to take as a reference, humor or conversation piece. Any ideas?