The Rubik's Cube

I’m not sure when I realized I’m not the world’s smartest man

Perhaps it was when I bought into the hype of cereal containing bran.

Or it’s possible it could have been when I failed to see the glitch

In thinking a career in teaching was going to make me rich.

Be that as it may it didn’t take long for me to understand

That the children I brought into this world were smarter than their old man.

When I tried to help them with their homework I only incurred their wrath

In my defense is there anyone in the world who understood New Math?

But I was content as they grew up with the information in their heads

Knowing I didn’t understand a thing they did and only half of what they said.

Until my grandson Taylor brought me this cube--6 colors as pretty as could be.

He twisted it over and over again then handed it back to me.

The idea is to put it back the way it was and in case I fail to mention

Improving analytic and cognitive skills seems to be Mr. Rubik’s intention.

But I think there was an ulterior motive and although the data on this is hazy

I think what the inventor really wanted was to drive the whole world crazy!

It takes 40 seconds for Taylor to complete the entire cube

“I’ll shoot for 40 seconds,” I said…Could I have been a bigger boob?

So I began and it didn’t long for me to sink into a deep depression

It seemed I would need some assistance or perhaps a quick therapy session.

I knew I couldn’t solve this cube alone given my limited powers of deduction

So I bought an easy to follow, how-to book with step-by step- instructions.

I was determined to solve this puzzle and become a Rubik’s cube whiz!

Easy to follow my Aunt Suzie! You have to know what an algorithm is!

Algorithm- that had me stumped and I’m not afraid to announce it

For not only am I confused by the word…I don’t know how to pronounce it.

But I studied and studied, practiced and practiced and in 3 weeks I had it solved.

I was proud of my accomplishment….as my intelligence evolved.

“3 weeks Pop Pop.” my grandson chortled, somewhat condescendingly

“I bet if you practiced harder you’d get as good as me.”

“My head hurts.” I said. “I’m going to take a bath.” then quickly bade goodbye

For it seems in intellectual prowess even my grandchildren are passing me by.

But as I soaked my aching head and my bruised ego in the bath

I had to smile- Taylor starts high school this year- I wonder if he’ll need help with math?