---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Aurora” Down in the Dirt, v168 (the Feb. 2020 Issue) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology Foundations the Down in the Dirt Feb.-April 2020 issues collection book		get the 322 page Feb.-April 2020 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Order this writing in the book the 2021 poetry review date book (the 2020 short poetry and art weekly paperback book)		get the 146-page poetry & art weekly planner as a 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Maintenance

Kimberly Flanagan

Month after month I wait and I wait
For that notification of payment made.
Between the 25^th and the 1st panic sets in
As I wonder if
You make me beg and beg and I have to wonder if you do not enjoy it
Making me crawl after something I need but certainly do not want.
Payment or punishment
I can no longer tell the difference
Funny how my humiliation clouds your responsibility
Having to pay for what you made and
Making me pay for it.
The money you so grudgingly
Pay will never be enough
For the price I paid
And the time you lost.
How nice for you that you
Get to keep me prisoner
By a few notes and coins,
Your paternal duty now only proved by paper.
Now you can continue sleeping peacefully while
I try and figure out how to work with this money sparingly
Maintenance,
Does nothing to maintain my pride or dignity
Bills and debit orders coming out of my ears
Bank keeps calling as I pretend not to hear
My account default balance remain in arrears.
It makes me wonder what I did in my past life
To deserve this.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine
That I would be at the blunt end of a
Disagreement on how much monetary worth
Should be placed on my offspring

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...