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