NEPHART.COM

Squeezing

rolling

suffocation

a poor toothpaste tube

has to go through

all kinds of torture

just so every morning

it can spill something

onto a toothbrush

when it is full

everyone is gentle

one little squeeze

and there it is

but when it reaches

almost the end

when nothing

comes out easily

the real treatment begins

rolling

twisting

strangling

pressed against the sink

like an accused

in police custody

the toothpaste tube

has no choice

rich or poor

everyone buys it

and just to save

a few more bucks

the poor tube

goes through

another round

of strangulation

because people believe

there must still be

something inside

then comes

the final punishment

someone takes scissors

cuts open

its belly

scrapes the corners

searches every fold

until the tube

can finally say

goodbye

a fresh toothpaste tube

once stood proudly

full

heavy

smooth

then every day

it lost

a little weight

trying to bring

a clean smile

and confidence

to someone else

poor toothpaste

I feel sorry for you

but tomorrow morning

I will still check

if I can squeeze

something more

out of the tube

which is

almost finished