Just Pennies-a-Day

I’ve stolen your life,

your wife & much more—

& left you this note

pinned to the door.

Want it all back?

I’ll make you a deal.

Pay me in pennies

to make it seem real.

A penny the first day;

next, give me two.

Then four on the third day;

the fourth: 4 x 2

Just double the number,

each day that goes bye.

A simple equation;

time will just fly.

Do this for a month;

follow this theme.

It’s not all that bad.

(I’m not really mean.)

In just 30 days,

your life will arrive—

cleverly packaged,

in ribbons & ties.

It’s all very painless:

You’ll thank me, I’m sure.

It’s true, after all:

“What are friends for?”

So, save up your pennies,

then give them to me.

Don’t bother to count.

It’s little—you’ll see.

Copyright 2020

* * *

Day 1: $.01

Day 2: $.02

Day 3: $.04

Day 4: $.08

Day 5: $.16

Day 6: $.32

Day 7: $.64

Day 8: $1.28

Day 9: $2.56

Day 10: $5.12

Day 11: $10.24

Day 12: $20.48

Day 13: $40.96

Day 14: $81.92

Day 15: $163.84

Day 16: $327.68

Day 17: $655.36

Day 18: $1,310.72

Day 19: $2,621.44

Day 20: $5,242.88

Day 21: $10,485.76

Day 22: $20,971.52

Day 23: $41,943.04

Day 24: $83,886.08

Day 25: $167,772.16

Day 26: $335,544.32

Day 27: $671,088.64

Day 28: $1,342,177.28

Day 29: $2,684,354.56

Day 30: $5,368,709.12