Bounced Checks

It whirs around the corner

and there you have it

it’s really not all that

anymore

A paycheck in between debt

Forgiveness past the barbwire

A mid drift with a full stomach

A smile disguising reckless emotion

bottled up in orange plastic, capped off

with child proof seals, twisting, then press down

turn

and empty

your pockets

before you take your shoes off at the door,

do not,

repeat do not,

bargain with the manager

he doesn’t appreciate your kind

and he doesn’t like having his name displayed

on his chest for everyone to repeat

when they are complaining about not having

enough

to eat and the food

stamps

out the famine

while the electricity

you waste to cool the house

and the gas you need

to boil water for a baby’s bottle

goes off

again

like the siren

in your head

wailing �"

that you’re

fa-fa-failING again

Reviews

[Emily B]

wailing and failing and needing . . . you said it all and then some

[Fabian G. Franklin]

You are one of my favorite poets. Your work has meaning and it's always well crafted. Love the stuttering ending like a child about to cry...gosh, haven't we all been there? Great poem.