Welcome

Hi, my name is Alys Jackson and I'm an author and poet

based in Adelaide, South Australia.

My work has been published in books, magazines,

anthologies and online.

No More Maths!

I’m sorry Sir I cannot do it

cannot study maths today.

No, not now and no not never,

and not because I isn’t clever.

I’s a genius – that I know

because my granny told me so.

It’s just I have an allergy

to numbers 4 and 6 and 3.

Just to hear them brings on swelling,

achy knees and lots of yelling.

True Sir, cross my heart and hope to die

especially if I multiply!

That’s the worst.

 

I cannot do arithmetic,

I promise Sir I’ll be sore sick.

Plus and minus – doing sums

puts purple pimples on both thumbs,

my hair will sneeze, my eyes turn red

and both my ears drop off my head.

 

I cannot do it. Not today

So can I please go out and play?

106 thoughts on “No More Maths!”

  1. Hi Alys,
    I love how you said that if you do math that you will get some sort of disease. This poem reminds me of my friend and how he just hates math and tries always not to do it.

    • Goodness me, Nuwin. I also knew people who didn’t want to do maths at school. I must admit, I wasn’t very fond of maths. I don’t mind it now because it comes in so useful. I guess we change our minds sometimes. Alys

  2. Hi alys
    I really enjoyed reading this poem it was so funny but this poem does not discribe me I love maths it’s one of my favourite subjects at school Ireally enjoy doin maths well Iused to hate it now Ilike maths

    • Thanks Vinuk. I am very relieved that you enjoy Maths because it’s such an important subject at school! I must admit, it’s not my favourite though I am getting better. At school, I much preferred English and art. When I left school, I studied science at university so needed to use maths a lot. Practice makes perfect!! Alys ➗➗123546+++

  3. I really like this poem, the description of the allergies was gruesome! Maybe I’m allergic to some of my subjects at school too!

    • I hope you’re not allergic to toooooo many subjects at school or your teachers will get cross! 😂😄 Alys PS: Great comment, Luca.

  4. I loved how your poem was very funny Do you notlike Maths? I hate it I would find any excuse not to do it

    • I’m so sorry you hate maths, Lithumi, because it can be very useful when buying chocolate. And yes I DID NOT like maths at school but now I don’t mind it as much. Alys ❌➕➗➖✔

    • Oh dear, you sound like me, Yehanya. I must admit, I didn’t really enjoy maths when I was at school but I really like it now. And it’s sooooo useful. Alys ❌➕✔✖➗

    • It’s good to know that you like maths. I must admit, it’s not my favourite subject ➕❌➖✖✔ Alys

  7. I feel bad about him getting a alegy of 4,6,3 and he even he can not outside and get fit so he can’t play with his friends.

    • It’s a very silly poem, Ranulaka. Just imagine if we really could be allergic to numbers?! It would be a complete disaster for most of us. I hope that you enjoy maths!? Alys 😳❌❎➕➗✖✔

  8. Hello Alys!

    You know exactly what kids think of maths! I used to do maths at home every day and now I’m pretty good at it. I’m not saying I love maths, it’s just something that’s needed for life I guess. What did you think of maths as a kid? Also thank you for making this poem. If I don’t feel like doing maths, I might use these excuses! 😉

    • Great comments, Twinkle. It’s good to hear that all your work paid off and that you are now pretty good at maths. Maths is soooo important. I really didn’t enjoy maths as a kid, but I think I’m quite good at it nowadays – especially since I’ve had to help my own children. Good luck using my extremely daft excuses at school 😁😅😄😂😆!! I’d love to hear what your teacher has to say! Alys

  9. Dear Alys
    Nice poem ! I liked the humour that the poem had my favourite part was the rhyming bit at the end when when the child said “I cannot. Not today. So can I go outside and play”.

    • Thank you, Thinara. I’m afraid I wasn’t very good at maths when I was at school so it was very easy to write this poem. Now that my children are learning maths I am actually getting better. But I still prefer to be outside. 😅😆 Alys

  10. i loved your poem (like always!) and most kids hate or dislike math all the time so your poem practically reflected my class!!!

    • Oh dear, how I struggled with math and yet now I quite enjoy using it to figure things out. I almost wish I could go back and study math now. ALMOST…. And thank you for your comments! They made me laugh 😆😆😆 Alys

  11. Hi Alys,
    It was a very funny poem. It made me laugh out loudly. I wonder how one can be so scared of maths and feel sick.

    • Hi Ishrit. I hope you enjoy maths. I wasn’t very good at maths at primary school even though I tried very hard. I like the fact that the poem made you laugh. I had fun writing it! 😆 Alys

  12. Even though I like my maths, there were funny reasons to get out of it, I might use some myself. LOL.

    • Oh dear, Brian. I’m not sure your teacher will believe you if you say that doing maths ‘puts purple pimples on both thumbs’ Good luck trying Alys 😂

    • Thank you Xavier, I’m glad to hear that you like maths – which means you probably don’t need any excuses. Maybe I should do a different poem especially for you! No More Gym, perhaps? Or No More Art!? 🙂 Alys

  14. Great poem, this poem is the very opposite of me, I love to do maths.
    Love the words you used to tie maths with rhyming.
    It makes me believe that poems are actually really easy to make.

    • Great comments Matilda. It’s a neat trick to make rhyming poems look easy – I think the best ones are those that sound like someone is talking naturally. You are very lucky to love maths – that probably means you are good at it, too. I have to admit, I wasn’t the best student at maths 🙂 Alys

  15. Hi Alys
    I love this poems because it had a lot of rhymes and some silly bits and pieces in it.
    but I just have two questions. Where do you get these ideas to write a poem and
    how long did it take for you to write it?

    • Hi again Tiaana. I have no idea where the ideas come from. I think a lot about random, silly things – ideas just seem to pop into my mind when I least expect them to 🙂 It took a few weeks to write and edit this poem. Some poems take much, much longer but others can take as little as two days. Alys

  16. Hey Alys,

    Your poem is just like me. I hate maths even though it is a very important subject. I don’t like I will ever like maths unless it does get fun. Which doesn’t happen easily. Anyhow your poem was really descriptive.

    -Thisama

    • I understand Thisama. Maths was never my best subject although I’m not too bad at it now. They key is to practice. And yes, it is soooo important to learn. Especially if you need to count chocolate. 🙂 Alys

      • Hey Alys,

        Oh yes, of course counting chocolate is important because mt sister keeps eating every chocolate I bring home.

        Thisama😊

        • 😂😂😂😂😄😆 oh my goodness, Thisama, poor you! I hope you manage to eat some of the chocolate. Alys

  17. HI Alys, I loved this poem because maths was involved. When I have to do a lot of maths and my dad and brother are playing outside I go ask and say if I can play and after I when I finish playing I will go straight back and continue doing my maths. This poem really made me laugh.

    PS. Do you like maths

    • It’s great that the poem made you laugh, Japleen. I’m not sure if I like maths. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t. It depends on the situation and what kind of maths. I’m not very good at maths but I like to try. 🙂 Alys

  19. Hello Alys. My name is William Turner. I am 6 years old. I picked this poem to read because I like maths but I would rather be outside playing sport. The first thing I noticed was that it was a rhyming poem. I laughed at the part about ears sliding off and thumbs with pimples. Thank you for writing this funny poem.

    • Thank you for your comments William, and I’m very pleased you enjoyed the poem. It’s great to hear that you enjoy maths even though you’d prefer to be outside. And well done for noticing that it’s a rhyming poem. 🙂 Alys

  20. Hi Alys that was a really funny poem I enjoy maths sometimes but sometimes It is a bit boring.But I enjoyed your poem which made
    me laugh.

    • Nice to know that the poem made you laugh Omesh. I think I was like you at school – I didn’t mind maths but…….. 🙂 Alys

  21. Hi Aly

    I chose to The no more maths poem because i felt that i could relate to it and when i read it i was like oh my goodness that is so me. It’s exactly how i feel about maths and i really like the end bit where the student asks to go out and play. I really enjoyes this poem, it put a smile on my face and i told mum all about it.

    • Thank you Tehya, I am so glad you enjoyed the poem – it’s great to write poems because we can share so much of how we feel. It’s nice to know that you shared it with your mum 🙂 Alys

  24. Hi Alys, l loved that poem because l hate maths too because I think it’s tricky. l would complain to my teacher about maths but I don’t because you have to try your best.
    I like how the end of the sentences rhyme. It makes it fun to read.
    Love Mikayla

    • Hi Mikayla. Yes, maths was never my strong point either although I tried so very hard at school. I must say I’m getting much better. I seem to understand maths now that I’m helping my children with their homework. I say help 🙂 Watch perhaps… Alys

  25. Thats me during a math test 😛
    actually no me in a maths test is like;
    ‘zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz’
    id rather be reading ur poems (or Harry Potter)
    could you do one about Harry Potter pls
    thx Beth xxx

    • Hi Bethany, zzzzzzzzzz. Oooops sorry, I keep falling asleep since reading your message. I think you must have attached a Harry Potter spell to it? Anyway, I expect I could write a Harry Potter poem. I’ve never considered it. Maybe I could call it Parry Hotter? Just so I don’t get into trouble. What do you think? Alys

  26. Dear Alys,
    I really like it because it’s funny and it reminds me of the time when my friend wanted to go to the toilet just because he hated maths, but then my other friend told the teacher that he would stay in the toilet for a long time. I also like how your poem rhythm and how there are lots of excuses to get out of the maths lesson.

    • Hi Linuka, thank you for the comments – they made me laugh 🙂 I hope you like maths more than your poor friend! Bye Alys

  27. Hi Alys do you like maths? I don’t like maths. So far I have read two of your poems and one story I will read more your stories poems.
    From Chethi P.S I love to read your stories and poems

    • Hi Chethya. Do I like maths? It depends. If I am counting chocolates then I LOVE maths, but otherwise, no not really 🙂 Thank you for your comments and I’m glad you enjoy my stories and poems. Bye Alys

  28. Hi Alys,
    My name is Mia I am 9 years old
    This poem is amazing! sometimes I feel the same and I like how you have a allergy to 4 6 3. My ending would be now can I finally go out side. Bye Alys

    • Hi again Mia – thank you for letting me know that you like the poem and I hope that you get to go outside 🙂 Bye Alys

  29. Dear Alys,
    This poem reminded me when I am in my language school I do half of my work and then ask my teacher to go out to play and she says “Do the rest of your work”.
    But you know I really love maths. 100+300=400
    About a different ending, I thought instead of the child saying to the teacher, can I go out to play, child could have said can I go home to play on my xbox. But I love outside play.
    Tirath

    • Wow Tirath, you are very good at maths!! That’s a huge addition. And I do like your different ending. I think it makes a lot of sense because so many children love to play on computers these days. When I was little we didn’t have computers… Bye Alys

  30. This poem is awesome it made me laugh, do you like math’s? . How do you get so many ideas for poems?

    • Hmmm, do I like maths? Well, Fleur, if I’m counting jellybeans then maybe yes. Otherwise….NOOOOOOOO! PS: I’m not sure where my ideas come from. Maybe from all the yummy greens I eat? Bye Alys 🙂

  31. Hi Alys I really like you no more maths short poem because I like the negotiating skills of the student. I never knew that hair could sneeze or your ears could fall of your head. this made me feel what excuses students make to not to do things that they don’t like.

    • Thank you Yenuli! 🙂 Your comments made me laugh. Good luck with your negotiating skills – I’m sure you’ll come up with something creatively convincing. Bye Alys

  32. The poem made me laugh. I liked how it sums up how I feel about maths. I liked the ending and wouldn’t change it.

    • Hi Jessica, I love your comment…”sums” up! Ha. Very good 🙂 And I’m glad you wouldn’t change the ending. I’m not sure I could think of another one!! Bye Alys

  33. This poem contained a lot of rhyming and it was extremely entertaining. However, I actually don’t mind maths but I understand that it is quite vital for the future. This was an absolutely amazing poem.

    • Well done understanding how important maths is to our future. Without maths the world would be a very dull place to live, don’t you think? Bye Chomilka.

  34. Love the poem because it’s insanely relatable. im always dreading having maths lessons at school but I understand why we would need simple maths in the future.

    • Wow, I love your phrase ‘insanely relatable’ and understand totally. I was always struggling at maths and still get confused with fractions and percentages which is very embarrassing at times…sigh! But, it really is essential to learn maths, don’t you think? Bye Alys

    • Ha ha. Your comment made me chuckle. Nice one, Dinethri. I wonder if your mother will believe you though? Hmmmm. Not sure about that!! Good luck 🙂 Bye again. Alys

  36. Hi Alys,
    When the poem said” I’m sorry sir I cannot do it cannot study maths today ”it kind like
    of lazy .why do you think some children not intersting to maths? But maths is my favorite subject!!!

    • Hi Methuli. I’m sorry this reply is so late!! And I love your comments 🙂 I agree it’s very, very lazy and lots of very intelligent people love maths. I’m glad maths is your favourite subject. You are very lucky to be good at maths. Bye Alys

  37. Hi Alys,
    I like maths. but your poem made me feel like to quit maths. I like how you used rhyming words and grammar especially ‘ is’ with ‘I’.

    • Hi Nuwin. I’m happy that you like maths so please don’t quit 🙂 🙂 And I’m very happy that you enjoyed my poem. Bye Alys

  38. Hi alys, this is a fantastic poem and I also dont like maths and its a funny way to express yourself

  39. Hi Alys Jackson

    I loved your poem. It made me laugh. I liked how you said that your were allergic to 4, 3 and 6. I would add I would vomit if I ever did algorithms. A different ending could have being could I go to play it is a sunny day? Yay!

    • Hmmm?! That is a very good question Natalee. I’m not sure where my ideas come from. I will have to start paying attention. 🙂

  41. Hi Alys Jackson loved your poem it was funny 👍❤️👍
    How do you get so many ideas for so many great poems??????????????????????????????❤️😀❤️
    From Jacinta ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    • Wow Jacinta, what lovely hearts and thumbs up!!!! I’m not sure where the ideas come from. Hmmmm, I’ll have to give that some thought. 🙂 Bye Alys

  42. I read two other poems so I decided to read another poem I think it was great. Why did you decide to write it.
    From Lakeesha🐶🐰🐼🐼🐶🐶🐰🐰🐰🐼🐼🐼

    • Hi Lakeesha, I decided to write ‘No More Maths’ because I wasn’t very good at maths at school, and I thought it might be funny to come up with some very silly excuses. Bye Alys 🙂

    • Hi Kassim, 🙂 I must admit that maths was never my favourite subject at school. And thank you for your comments. Bye Alys

  45. Dear Alys Jackson,
    The poem made me feel like maths could be fun!
    I like the poem because it had rhyming words and it was funny.
    This poem makes me want to try and write my own poem like this, but maybe about science etc.
    Love the poem “NO MORE MATHS!”
    From Stephanie.

    • Hi Stephanie, some great comments! I really hope you try your own poem. They are such fun to write. Science is a good topic, too. Good luck Alys 🙂

  46. Hi Alys,
    I liked your poem as I liked the rhyming words. I don’t like maths.
    Thanks,
    Hunter

    • Hi Hunter, thank you for reading ‘No More Maths’ and I’m very happy that you like rhyming words. Bye Alys

  47. My name is Rosalie I’m from Elizabeth North Primary school . My age is 8 1/2 and I’m doing childrens university. I read your poem “No more maths”. I liked your poem because it was funny and really good to read. I hope you have a good day.

    • Hi Rosalie. Thank you for your lovely comments and I am really happy that you enjoyed my poem 🙂 I am very sorry that my message is so late!! I hope you have a good day, too! Bye, Alys

    • Hi Camila. Wouldn’t that be wonderful!? I don’t think your teacher would believe it though 🙂 Bye Alys

  49. I realy liked that poem👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
    So what inspired you to write that poem???
    I wish that all that stuff happened if i had to go to school so then i could do what ever i pleased😭😭😭IF ONLY😲
    Love Paige💟💟💟💜💜💜❤❤❤💗💗💗😎😎😎😍😍😍😉😉😉

    • Hi Paige, thank you for some great comments, and I love all the emoji’s 🙂 :). I wrote that poem because I DO NOT LIKE maths! I hope that you enjoy it more … Bye, Alys

  50. This poem is a great excuse for not doing maths, even though i love maths.
    And the poem has great rhyming words.

    • Hi Tawsida, I’m not sure your teachers will be pleased that my poem is giving you an excuse not to do maths :). Thank you for saying that the poem has great rhyming words. Bye, Alys

    • Hi again Emma, I’m glad that you thought the poem was funny and I hope that you enjoy maths at school. Bye Alys

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