It's not that I don't listen

It's not that I don't listen,

when they explain the amortization

or the rule of seventy-two.

It sounds so simple, true.

But the words just fall away,

like rain on a hot street,

before the next day's greet.

And then, the moment comes.

A friend, a colleague, or a bill,

a casual, confident thrill

of conversation, then my mind goes blank.

A sudden, awkward flank.

And under the table, quick,

my thumb finds the glass slick.

The screen lights up, a familiar glow.

'What is a capital gain?' I know

I typed it last month, or the month before.

And I'll type it again, and many more.