Still Pepper, Baby!

wake up
sit up
in bed
crack my neck
stretch my back
ankle bites as i
walk to the bathroom
flip on the light
adjust my eyes
stare in the mirror
55 year old man
looking back
salt and pepper
beard
salt and pepper
head
more salt than pepper
open the mirror
reveal all the ancient
creams potions and salves
take out the pills
pills to fix what’s neglected
pills to fix what’s aged
slow slide each one out
lay em down
by the sink
out the corner of my eye
the little yellow one
rolls toward the edge like
a desperate frightened shrew
and with the instinct
and otherworldly speed
of a raptor
i strike from above
and capture
the baby aspirin
midair
before it lands
on the mat below
55 IN THE HOUSE, Y’ALL!