Poetry Friday: Chocolate Math

Let's sum it up: I cannot add.

Finding a difference drives me mad.

I hate remainders and it's true,

Multiplication makes me blue.

Those plastic sticks just don't do it.

Who thought that up really blew it.

We'll do well with a new device,

These M&Ms will be real nice.

This subject now will be a treat

As Chocolate Math is really sweet!

I'll be an adder who never misses

While adding piles of chocolate kisses.

Here's a device found at the store:

Ten Tootsie Rolls, and I'll eat four.

Then I'll say, "I still have six."

With Chocolate Subtraction Tricks.

Now division can be done in haste

When it's done with a little taste.

With remainders I'll have a ball,

I'll pick them up and eat them all.

To multiply we will be able

To put some chocolate on the table.

Two candy bars times four are eight. (ate)

That product we'll assimilate.

If teachers would not preach and nag

But assign our homework from a bag,

All students could be math fanatics

By using Chocolate Mathematics.

—Grandpa Tucker

Copyright ©1998 Bob Tucker

What did the poet do to make math interesting?  Tell me how the character in this poem felt at the beginning of the poem and how they felt at the end of the poem.