What is a list poem? This poetry style is a collection of people, places, things, ideas, or even words strung together somewhere within a poem to form a list. It is not necessary for the list to rhythm, but the words used should be memorable. I find the freedom when creating a list poem fascinating. The wordplay can be wild and free similar to Indiana weather in the early spring. Therefore, in March, I plan to write a series of list poems. I will title this one Retirement Checklist.
Retirement Checklist
Firstly, watch them close until you know
They are about to force you to go.
Secondly, you need to contact HR
Check on what your benefits
And find out what they are.
Thirdly, find out the company you worked for
because of the retirement pension
Had somehow failed to mention
It won’t cover the bare necessities
Like food and housing and medical insurance.
Fourthly, apply for your 401k
You’ll be taxed to death
But it would be best if you got paid
Fifthly, place a call to social security
Where you find out your health insurance isn’t free
Sixthly, now that you’ve discovered
Your monthly payment is whittled down to nothing
They tell you to purchase drug coverage
Isn’t that touching
Seventhly, discover one of your vital medications
Cost more than the monthly mortgage on your house.
And by the way sis I mention it won’t be covered
Under the new plan you’ve just discovered
Eighthly, lay awake at night and toss and turn
Doubting your every decision
When will you ever learn?
The cheater’s hand is on their side.
Ninthly, hear that the plan you picked
Has a deductible
Figure out the only survival trick
Is for you to never get sick
Tenthly, it’s time to walk away
Realizing you’ll survive another day
Knowing the system isn’t fair
Society doesn’t real care
That old people still want to live and aren’t a social disease
And it’s a shame when the can’t even afford to sneeze.
Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh. To read more of her short stories and adventures, click here.
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