The Unbidden Bill

Saw a kid today, just lie

down in the park grass.

A sudden thought, how I

used to do that.

My aunt’s backyard, the sun

hot on my arms.

Kicked off my shoes, the cool

green against my soles.

Then one blade, thin and sharp,

got stuck to my ankle.

Just a tickle, really.

But that’s when it came.

The electricity bill,

the gas. The rent due soon.

That sinking feeling,

even with summer sky.

A perfect, awful moment.