Mouthwash

It tastes like cigarettes without the nicotine

Smoke in the air — no purpose

It tastes like 25 shots and a bad dream

Head back to sleep so it hurts less

it tastes like sweat-soaked bed sheets

Quarters to change out the bedspread

It tastes like hanging on a thread and it's thin

Frayed end to end — well left unsaid

There's been something lodged in the back of my throat

Constantly taste you, so I start to choke

shake in my sleep, though I woke up without it