Basic Math Poem by Jim Yerman

A brother and a sister battled all the time
Their fighting seemed to have no reason and definitely no rhyme.

Their parents did not understand and tried hard to keep the peace
But no matter what they did the fighting never ceased.

Their children were too young, too inexperienced, too unqualified
To see a parent’s love is not divided it’s always multiplied.

It took a while but, one day, the brother and sister comprehended.
They stopped their fighting and immediately each other they befriended.

Then life moved on and in the blink of an eye, the brother and sister were fully grown
And they found themselves both married with families of their own.

They were confident their children wouldn’t become an angry mob
They were smarter than their parents. They would do a better job.

But no matter what they did to try to keep the peace
The children did not listen and their fighting never ceased.

Dear brother, the sister lamented I don’t know what I’m doing wrong
I struggle, I bargain, I bribe but my children don’t get along.

Dear sister the brother responded, I too can do nothing right
I’ve used every technique from every book but all my children do is fight.

Finally in frustration realizing nothing they do would suffice
They did what any child would do, they turned to their parents for advice.

The parents comforted their children, “Don’t worry, no need to fuss.”
“We’ll give you the same instruction our parents once gave to us.

“Your children are too young, too inexperienced, too unqualified
To see a parents love is not divided it’s always multiplied.”

“It may seem like a simple solution but it’s patience you need to apply
For someday soon your children too will learn to multiply.”

Quit trying so hard to understand and put those parenting books back on the shelf
For once they comprehend the math the problem takes care of itself.

The children departed and the parents smiled as they watched them walk down the path
“I guess you’re never to old, ” Mom said, “to learn about basic math.”

“Yes, ” Dad grinned, “and one day when their children ask for help with their mayhem
They’ll be ready with the same advice their parents gave to them.”