Hieroglyphics Poem by Jim Yerman

Deborah and I recently helped Aden with a project his teacher assigned.
Was it our knowledge or creativity he desired to make his project shine?

Did he think we’d have some great ideas? Did he think that we were wise?
His answer not only humbled us...but took us by surprise.

His project was on Hieroglyphics...(I swear you gotta love that kid.)
Turns out he wanted someone to help him who was as old as the Pyramids.

When I explained that would make us over 4000 years old, my nose got a bit out of joint
When he looked at me, shrugged his shoulders and said...“So, Pop Pop...what’s your point? ”

The rest of the project went just as smoothly...for try as I might I couldn’t see
How Aden, a mere 4th grader in Elementary School, could know so much more than me.

In my defense it’s not my fault I was feeling like such a fool.
According to Aden it’s been 4000 years since I attended school.

In the end the project came out great and our help was not a total waste.
But I’ll now offer three examples of the kind of problems we faced.

First off there’s those Egyptian words...I mean what in the world would compel them
To come up with such complicated words and make it impossible to spell them?

Who in the world can spell hieroglyphics, pharaohs, Ptolemy or Sphynx
I’m convinced those ancient Egyptians had far too much beer to drink!

Second, when Aden objected to making papyrus in a blender...I immediately diffused it.
“Don’t worry.” I said. “If the ancient Egyptians had a blender I’m sure they would have used it.”

Finally after Aden asked about the Cartouche...I sense he was displeased
When my answer was, “God Bless You”....for the life of me...I thought he sneezed.

In the end I had a secret weapon which allowed the seeds of creativity to be sewn
Turns out I didn’t have to remember a thing from school...I had Google on my phone.

If not, I’m sure this happy story would have ended quite differently.
And Aden’s hieroglyphics project...would have been nothing but Greek to me.