Now that I’ve reached a certain age
I worry that every bill 
I get in the mail
could be the one
that tips the scale

that drops my accounts 
below nil. 

Even though
I’ve cut all the corners until
it’s now just a straight line
to the poor house

sliced the potatoes so thin 
you can read the past due
notices through them

and still don’t have enough
left over to pay
attention or buy that
lottery ticket to salvation