How does Dan Simmons use imagery in Hyperion?

Imagery:

"Among us we represent islands of time as well as separate oceans of perspective. Or perhaps more aptly put, each of us may hold a piece to a puzzle no one else has been able to solve since humankind first landed on Hyperion."

"Mathematically, your daughter's body resembles a time reversed equation...or perhaps an object which has passed through a rapidly spinning black hole."