CHILD SUPPORT CHECKMARKS

those child support checks were the
only reminder of you we had---
and they stopped coming when I turned six.

but unfortunately

I had your sinful eyes (check)
your mellow complexion (check)
your deceptive smile (check)
& your narrow mind (check)

and I continued to remind mama of

your departure,
your exit, and
your stoic demeanor towards our survival---

and the support you never sent,
made my life's existence an accident,
and the support she didn't see,

was debited from the
support given to me (check)

By MARK ANTHONY THOMAS

From The Poetic Repercussion Copyright © 2004