"Child Support Checkmarks" by Mark Anthony Thomas

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)