HOMEWORK

“O.K. come on! Sit yourself down,
I don’t want to be here all night!
Hey! Where are you off to? Sit over here!
Let’s make sure you get this right.”

“What’s THIS mean Nanny? I dont understand.”
“Why don’t you just READ the question?!”
“I did! It’s too hard! Will YOU help me out?”
“Oh Lord, you’re so very frustrating!”

“STOP that wriggling... where ARE you going?”
“I need to go to the bathroom..”
“O.K., but hurry, you’ve got lots to do..
And I want to get up from here soon!”

I wait and I wait but still there’s no sign
Almost gnashing my teeth in anger.
Twenty minutes have passed and nothing is done
His little head pops round the corner!

“Here I am Nanny, I’m ready to start.
What’ll we get out of the way first?
Spelling or Math, I really don’t mind...
My! you look like your about to burst!!”

That’s just what I did.... I “burst” into laughter,
He knows exactly how to get me around
His little finger, and out of a ‘mood’.
A child’s laughter's the sweetest sound.

We finally start... the spelling’s a breeze
He’ll get them ALL right this week.
Now to the reading, no problems there
With a little memory ‘tweak’.

We’ve got the math done, took a little bit longer
‘Cause were doing multiply and divide.
“Are you sure this isn’t adding? I think it is,
The sign’s just fallen on it’s side!”

“How many times do I have to explain
The sign for 'adding’ is like Jesus’ cross!
The other one’s not fallen, it’s always like that!
Are you listening or am I wasting my voice!”

“Yup! I’m listening! You’re SO wise Nanny!”
Lucky it’s just about over and done with
A crooked smile melts the tension, as well as
A “Thanks Nanny, I’m glad you’re not miffed!”

J.M. Furner

Created 16 June 2000