Jun 11
Like soldiers of comically varying heights
I line up my pill bottles along the border
of my place mat for morning roll call
Some plastic, some glass—
Green, white, purple, yellow, gold
Each with their own earnest promise—
Energy, metabolism, muscle function,
allergy relief
And I earnestly swallow each down
Willing each to complete their mission
To find success in the battle against time
Willing them to bring new life
to this tired body of mine
© 2025 Joan Zaruba. All rights reserved.
I line up my pill bottles along the border
of my place mat for morning roll call
Some plastic, some glass—
Green, white, purple, yellow, gold
Each with their own earnest promise—
Energy, metabolism, muscle function,
allergy relief
And I earnestly swallow each down
Willing each to complete their mission
To find success in the battle against time
Willing them to bring new life
to this tired body of mine
© 2025 Joan Zaruba. All rights reserved.
For several mornings now, this poem has asked to be written while I dutifully take my morning vitamins. I hope others can relate in how I find humor, hope, and a little sadness in this routine.
(43/F/Minnesota, USA)
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