Too Little for Too Much

An envelope lands, like a slap to the face,

a slip of cold paper, the numbers don’t match.

Hours spent toiling in a furious race,

only to find I’m the victim of catch.

Stark ink against white, a reminder of weight,

what I thought would be bounty now feels like a joke.

I count up the days, each one full of fate,

but the truth of my labor just leaves me half-broke.