I suppose I ought not be shocked
when my grandson, all of twelve,
explains to me the concept
of the expanding universe, nor
when asked about the capital
of Burundi fires back Gitega
and adds that Burundi has three
official languages, English, French
and of course Kirundi, and I nod
hoping my ignorance isn’t obvious.
I don’t dare ask how he knows
lest he says everyone but you does.
But recently I learned that
in the heart of the pandemic
when school was an endless Zoom,
being bored he opened a second
browser window and while appearing
to be engaged in the class activity
quietly learned the world, not
to mention several ancient mythologies.
But I pride myself on knowing that he
has no idea that Bob Feller was
the greatest pitcher in Cleveland history,
or that Kareem Abdul Jabbar was
once just plain old Lew Alcindor.