Social Arithmetic
Looking through some really old pictures that had been handed down and my daughter found this amazing poem. It is in my grandmother’s handwriting, but I am not sure that she was the author or not. I am going to assume that she was. Keep in mind that she passed at age 42 in 1972. There is no date on the paper but was probably written sometime in the 40s.
He’s teaching her arithmetic
He said it was his mission
He kissed her once, he kissed her twice
And said that’s addition
And as he added smack by smack
In silent satisfaction
She sweetly gave him his kisses back
And said now that’s subtraction
Then she kisses him and he kisses her
Without an explanation
Then both smiled together and said
Now that’s multiplication
Then dad appeared upon the scene
And made a quick decision
He kicked the lad ten blocks
And said no that’s long division.