a rainbow

red pills
are the ones
that stick in
your saliva
like strawberries
sickly sweet--
you know--the ones that
slide down your throat like
snowday morning sleds

orange ones
open like the sun
curvy, round, you swallow
them whole,
unpeeled

yellow ones
yank open your stomach
they demand a yes
acidic lemons

green ones
like wheatgrass shots
a lawnmower emptying itself into your
throat (as you choke slightly, your face disfigures)

blue ones
these dissolve
gel capped tears they pop open
on your tongue like zits, out gushes
starburst jelly
and ocean snow

purple pills
are black like night
they take the darkness
safe
and unlock it inside you
they paint your innards
black

you cap your water bottle slowly and
your adam's apple bobs