CAFFEINE,
CODEINE, A.S.A.
I take
two in the morning
for
the lull in my head
when
my heart beats faster
I can
get out of bed
a
smile comes easy
when
you know what to do
just a
glass of water
and a
222
I take
two at lunch
to get
me through till four
the
rat race isn’t noticeable
when
you can’t feel sore
as
others suffer around me
I tell
them what to do
drink
a glass of water
and a
222
I take
two in the evening
when
I’m watching TV
I see
the sex and violence
but it
can’t hurt me
a
little bit of sleep
when
the day is through
but
first a glass of water
and a
222
© 1982 Chris Sorrenti
author’s note: 222
or two twenty-two as it’s pronounced;
the brand name of a popular pain killer in these parts,
of which the ingredients make up the title of the poem.