Repentagram

One, we are discrete
Entities, exact
Values (of?) that are
Represented by
Symbols in the form

Of words and signs, which
Seems just redundant.
Two, we are numbers,
Which is another
Way of putting it.

When did we begin?
Three, it’s hard to say.
Neanderthals seemed
To like notches cut
In hyena bones.

On the other hand
(Hard to stick to two
Hands when you’re counting),
There are some modern
Peoples who don’t count

Much at all. Four, we
Come whole—whole systems,
Never single spies.
We’re what symbols you
Use for us. Say, five.