one fresh lemon and frozen peas

07 Jan 2019

one fresh lemon and frozen peas

carrots & celery & radishes
those are the easy ones to remember

instead of making a list
I try to recall what’s in the fruit basket
lazy susan and freezer

if only I didn’t have to stop at the pharmacy
everyone hates me there
plus they have my number and long memories

I rarely go down the middle aisles
afraid I may never come out
instead stick to the edges
where I can see real people
peddling real ideas

I tell my text-by-psychiatrist
that I’m not a druggie and never was
but I do like to get high
in the strangest possible ways
and most conspicuous places

she tells me to go on but I don’t
believing she’s really not a she
but rather an under-age sex-bot created
by four freshmen software engineers
at iowa state university

I sort of come back down to earth
when the bell rings and they ask me
if I found everything all right
leaving me scratching my head
and fumbling for my car keys

january two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved

Posted in Poetry and tagged aging, poem, Poetry

15 thoughts on “one fresh lemon and frozen peas”

Shawna on January 7, 2019 at 8:43 pm said:

This is great. A total riot. The sex bot section, this:

“I tell my text-by-psychiatrist
that I’m not a druggie and never was
but I do like to get high
in the strangest possible ways”

Fantastic piece.

Reply ↓
- j matthew waters on January 7, 2019 at 9:08 pm said:
  
  Thank you very very much 😀
  
  Reply ↓
  - Shawna on January 7, 2019 at 9:33 pm said:
    
    This really cracked me up. I’m having so much fun reading it multiple times. I hope it’s all true — especially that hilario part about the pharmacy. 🙂
- Finally awake on June 21, 2019 at 9:29 am said:
  
  Of course.
  
  Incredible, for sure.
  
  Reply ↓
Lara/Trace on January 8, 2019 at 12:16 pm said:

I really laughed at: everyone hates me there (no one could hate you!)

Reply ↓
- j matthew waters on January 8, 2019 at 5:28 pm said:
  
  haha thank you but don’t be too sure, Trace! thanks for sharing this one on your twitter timeline, it’s much appreciated!
  
  Reply ↓
  - Lara/Trace on January 9, 2019 at 1:16 pm said:
    
    I try and keep up with you!
Bonny Blogger on January 10, 2019 at 8:24 am said:

a great peas of writing!

Reply ↓
- j matthew waters on January 10, 2019 at 1:18 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Bonnie!
  
  Reply ↓
stillight on January 10, 2019 at 11:16 am said:

This was a super fun piece to read. Loved it!

Reply ↓
- j matthew waters on January 10, 2019 at 1:17 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much, Jennifer, I’m thrilled you enjoyed this one!
  
  Reply ↓
stillight on January 10, 2019 at 11:16 am said:

Hope you send this one out for publication.

Reply ↓
magicofwordsblog on January 23, 2019 at 7:33 pm said:

This really made me smile, John. I love how versatile your poetry can be from lighthearted and humorous to profound and poignant. Have a great night, my friend.

Reply ↓
- j matthew waters on January 23, 2019 at 8:57 pm said:
  
  Thank you for such lovely words, Loredana. Means so much to me and makes me smile and heart warm. Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2019!
  
  Reply ↓
  - magicofwordsblog on January 23, 2019 at 8:59 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome, John! And Happy 2019 to you and yours as well!