Balanced Checkbook

there was a time the household budget
depended on a balanced checkbook
the rows of numbers had to be added

and subtracted throughout the weeks

to match the total on the monthly statements
a few pennies lost were permissible
but all the dollars had to be accounted for

because the paycheck only lasted
for thirty days, no wiggle room for mistakes,
no fudging, or forgetting expenses

today with electronic wizardry
an up-to-date balance can be had

with the swipe of a card and a secret pin number
current state of potential spending
is available with an itemized list of all

checks written, charges credited, or impulses debited

like an electrocardiogram
giving information on economic health
available for everyone to see in an instant.