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Upon Leaving the Accountant (poem)

By Lynn Kennedy

The taxman acknowledges the newly dug hole in the ground
And in my heart

Prepare yourself for next year
Start saving
You can't file jointly
You'll have to pay a lot more
The widow's penalty

I feel punished for the death of my husband
I didn't know
It's a crime to be single in America
My sentence:
His Social Security stops
His veterans benefits stop
My car insurance goes up
No discount for…shush…single drivers

Some genius behind a big desk
In a huge office must believe that
Surviving spouses should be grateful for the
One-time lump sum death benefit of
$255.00 from Social Security

Some genius behind a big desk
In a huge office must believe that
Spouses should be happy to receive a
Bronze plaque and a folded flag
From a grateful nation

I am NOT grateful
Military toxins
Killed my husband
I feel punished and robbed

—Lynn Kennedy