the ups and downs

the teller at the bank,

Kamil,

is worried

about my money.

he sees

the balance

and shrugs his shoulders,

puts his arms

out

and mouths the words

what

are you doing?

nervously he scratches

beneath his turban, then

he slips a note back with

my deposit slip

that reads

you need to invest this

money.

it's not gaining any interest.

money won't

grow just sitting

in your stagnant account.

it won't go up, he writes

in bold black letters.

i slip him a note back,

that says,

and it won't go down either.