The Letter

It could be a final reminder,
which wouldn’t be that bad.
It’s not really that bad until
the solicitors get involved.

It could be the oil bill. Good luck, lads!:
“Your bill is important to me and
will be dealt with in strict rotation
as soon as I get some money.”

It could be a final notice threatening
legal action, in which case I’ll gird
my voice and call to negotiate
some bullshit payment plan I can’t pay.

It could be a summons for that ticket
I couldn’t pay, or perhaps another note
from the Revenue who don’t seem to know
I’m on the dole.

It looks official.

Maybe I’ve won something . A contest
I forgot I entered, or maybe monies
due from some far-flung lending library,
or a cheque from the Universe with no return address.

Or maybe not.

It could just be the builders’ suppliers,
I owe them 200 euro since October.

Tina Pisco’s first collection She Be was published by Bradshaw Books in 2010. She is currently Writer-in-Residence at Tigh Fili, Civic Trust House in Cork city.