Bitter Pills

The pills taste

like ash and manipulation

as they struggle to slide down my throat.

I chase them with diet soda

because the filter to the purifier went bad,

and I don’t particularly care for

the metallic taste of tap water.

Reality is the largest pill in the bottle,

and it hurts to swallow.

Choke it down with soda

and a double-shot of clarity

while you attempt to mourn

the never-was.