Alive

Each year I get a letter
To make sure that I’m not dead.
There must be other ways
To check that info out, instead.

It’s from the T.R.S.*, which holds
Retirement accounts,
Keeping track of teachers’ monies
In their varying amounts.

I guess that sometimes people die
And relatives or friends
Pretend that person’s still alive
To claim those dividends.

So I have to take a picture
Of my government I.D.,
Plus a photo of a newspaper
That’s being held by me.

The headline must be visible
To ascertain the date
And I have to sign a form that says
I’m living and not late.

With A.I. and technology,
It seems that such a shot
Must be easy for someone to fake,
But maybe it is not.

At any rate, I sent the forms
And hope when they arrive,
Whoever checks them out will see
That I am still alive.

*Teachers’ Retirement System

liferhyme

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