Algebra

Whilst algebra for many is so poorly understood At school I put the effort in and I became quite good Three apples being equal to a carrot and two pears Was obvious, for camels are a donkey and two hares A bicycle without a wheel was equal to a boat But take away an apple and you’ve got a mountain goat Though if you multiply an orange by a seedless grape The answer’s twenty six and a recurring hairy ape Who knew that one banana added to a coconut Might equate to seven minus half a water butt But, hey, I passed exams that say I’m clever as can be Two peaches plus an aubergine will not befuddle me The usefulness of algebra is difficult to see Unless you need to prove six plums are very nearly three But what I learnt of algebra I never did forget Though now I’m ninety seven… and I haven’t used it yet