New Math

New Math

"April is Math Appreciation Month,"
she told me with a smile.
"Can you help me with a project?"
I said "sure, though it's been a while."

As I got out my old slide rule,
(and abacus just in case)
I asked her, "When is it due?"
"Tomorrow," she said, with a straight face.

"TOMORROW!?" I shouted at her,
"Why'd you wait 'til now to start?!"
She sighed and tossed her hair -
I said, "That wasn't very smart."

"Well, what's it about?" I asked her
still intent on trying to help.
But when she said "the Binomial Theorem,"
I couldn't help but let out a yelp.

"What's happened to addition," I asked,
"or maybe some simple division?
Or what about good ole algebra?"
She snorted at me with derision.

"This is New Math, silly," she said
just before she rolled her eyes,
then she gathered up her things
and took off in pursuit of bluer skies.

I sadly put away my abacus,
and my old slide rule.
I guess if I want to help my kid
I'll have to go back to school.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Written for a BAD Poetry Slam

PROMPT - Subject is: The Joys of Helping With Kids' Homework
Format is: Free Verse (Which means anything goes)
Max lines: 30

It's SUPPOSED to be BAD, so low ratings are coveted!