Expiration Dates

Staring at an expiration date I start to wonder
If I do ingest this, will it be a major blunder?
Many times I’ve taken pills way past the date they say
And, although they’re not as strong, they seem to work okay.

Condiments that stay too long most often taste just fine.
Snack foods only lose their crunch when they have crossed the line.
I have eaten candy that’s been on a shelf for years;
Though I’m quite neurotic, this does not give rise to fears.

Dairy products need no dates – one sniff and then you know.
I toss fruits and veggies when the mold begins to grow.
Still, there are some iffy things and then I must decide;
My gut and common sense combine and make a nifty guide.

Sometimes all this makes me think that life might be a breeze
If we were born with expiration dates, like milk or cheese.
Many folks would fill their finite lives and be much stronger;
I’d ignore my date and think I’d last a whole lot longer!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Gooden Avatar
July 21, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Brilliant Ilene. Thanks for sharing. Really thoughtful, entertaining and makes good reading
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
July 20, 2012 at 12:56 PM
Excellent, Ilene! I think, I too, would last longer than my expiration date. At least I hope I would! LOL...have a great weekend. Love and Blessings, Rhonda
Merryman Avatar
July 19, 2012 at 4:52 PM
Good one, Ilene. I have to admit that I am pretty obsessive about checking expiration dates on foods. One of my quirks, I guess. I enjoyed your poem. Love, Kim
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