I really enjoyed your take on this Writer's Cramp prompt. I particularly like the fact that you took the significance of the number twenty-three and showed all of the different ways that the number shows up or can be found in the composition or calculation of other numbers (two to the third power equalling eight, which is another number of mystical/spiritual significance, etc.). That was really clever and a great way to expand the poem beyond the prompt in a way that still pays homage to it. The point about the Mayan prophecy was also really well made; it feels like the reader will come away from this piece with a better understanding of the significant of the number twenty-three, in addition to having read a fun poem.

The only small suggestion I have is that you might want to consider spelling out the other numbers that aren't 23 (eight, two, third, five, etc.). I think it would make the number 23 stand out a little more visually in the poem. As it is, it gets a little lost in some stanzas with all the other numbers being mentioned.

Overall, I really enjoyed this item. I thought you did a great job working all of the symbolism and numerology into such a short item. Well done!