This morning's vitamin

This morning's vitamin,

a chalky orange, bitter,

caught me. A shudder.

Not this, not quite.

But the sharp tang, then

the thick, sweet chemical,

pulled it back. The small,

white kitchen, sun

too bright on the yellow linoleum.

The spoon, plastic,

bent slightly from my teeth,

holding that pink,

syrupy sludge.

The smell of it,

clinging to my pajamas.

My throat, tightening,

even now. A forced swallow.

Something you just take.

And it goes down,

and sits.