New Math

My neighbor’s kid was studying
Doing his assigned math
I peered upon his paper
And managed to stifle a laugh

He had written 3 times 4
And beside it scribbled 9
I pointed out the error
And said it wasn’t right

He wrinkled up his nose instead
And replied, “In fact it is”
I noted it was 12, but he said,
“That’s before taxes”