Roman Numerals

X marks the spot if it’s V plus V

Or what XC needs to add up to C.

To the left of L or perhaps the right

There’s a difference some would consider slight.

Once the C’s add up, then it’s time for D

Which will last ‘til M’s a necessity.

Then it’s fun to challenge a boy whose path

May be one that follows the joys of math.

Placing X and I, L and M and C

To make sense brought smiles to both him and me

So we stopped at the point when I’d taught him plenty

And he knew MMXX was 2020!