(For the lucky,
Expire when you realize you’re getting just a little older.
For the ones that live and live and live,
Do you end up just living to die?)
Time measured in toothpaste tubes.
Enough time to roll the bottom end up.
Make that toothpaste keep it’s promise.
Hold the roll with a binder clip.
Enough time to hold it steady.
The toothpaste tube winks to the pill box,
“I’ve got my master ready.”
Easy to squeeze for arthritic fingers.
Has it come to that?
Measuring time in toothpaste?
Half-inch for morning.
Half-inch for evening.
Never noticed how much is gone.
More time than that toothpaste let on.
Bastard.
