Pain Killer Poem by Nancy Ames

(This is another 'caricature poem' and the speaker here is an older woman.)


'My drug of preference
is in stock on the shelf;
my life is so intense;
I revolve around myself.

Sometimes quite late at night,
or when I'm feeling hollow,
or when I've had a fright,
I let go of my pillow...

And struggle to my feet,
and reach out for my slipper,
afraid that I might meet
that grinning 'jack-the-zipper'.

I don't take more than two,
whatever they might say;
it's anaesthetic glue
and keeps the pain away.'