Like Water

Money runs through my fingers like water.

My check arrives in the bank

refreshing, quenching my thirst

cooling my hands

droplets form on my fingertips

and it’s gone.

Bills go unpaid while I look for more

books to purchase

concerts to attend

some may not see this as a problem

or understand my challenge

money consumes my life.

When I can’t spend freely

on what I want

when my account runs overdraft

a knot develops in my stomach

guilt overcomes my brain

I tell no one.

Eagle flies; the sun shines again

I’ll pay my bills, get caught up

then a glint catches my eye

something shiny

a poet reads her work

I must buy her book.

Storms don’t pass until the rain

covers me head to toe

my hands try to wring water

from my clothes and hair

but nothing works. Water

runs through my fingers like money.