Janice Canerdy Poet Quatrain

Notes About The Poem

  
It may seem incredible that a person would stop taking medication because the doctor
prescribed a different-colored pill. It happens! An article in the October 13, 2014, issue of
The Atlantic states, "A pill's hue can affect how it's judged by patients, how it's marketed,
and even how well it works." The article also states that sometimes people do what Mom in
my poem does. The poem is not about my mother.

 

I Want My Yellow Pills

My mama loved her yellow pills;
		she'd taken them for thirty years.
		Her outlook wouldn't be the same
		without them. They assuaged her fears

		and made her smile, although hard times
		throughout the years had come her way.
		"I wouldn't be the same without
		my yellow pills," she'd always say.

		Last year we went for her exam.
		Her doctor said, "I'm giving you
		a different pill, a stronger one--
		a better one! This one is blue."

		You'd think the doc had threatened her
		with fifty lashes. She replied,
		"I want my yellow pills!" I said,
		"By doctor's orders, we'll abide."

		As weeks passed by, I noticed Mom
		was not herself. She seemed so sad.
		Her explanation: "Well, I'm old.
		Sometimes old ladies just feel bad!"

		I soon would know the reason she
		was sad. One  day I found her stash
		of bright blue pills. I saw them where
		she'd tossed them in the bathroom trash.

		I told her doctor, "Mom must have
		some yellow pills. She's fading fast.
		She will NOT take blue pills. She trashed 
		them all." The doctor was aghast.
		
		Now Mom takes yellow pills again,
		and her depression's history.
		The folks who think pill color's not
		important should ask Mom and me.


written for the Lewis Raynes That Colorful  Drug contest



May 31, 2016

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Bl Devnath June 12, 2016 at 10:21 AM Congrats on your beautiful win my lovely friend. Loved always, bl Janice Canerdy June 12, 2016 at 12:37 PM Thanks so much, BL. Janice

Andrea Dietrich June 10, 2016 at 9:15 PM I see this got a high placement from what Connie says. that's great news. it's a great poem. Congratulations.

Andrea Dietrich June 10, 2016 at 9:14 PM People are so silly!! I never let myself be influenced by colors that way. If you tell me it's the same thing and it's not, i will probably believe you and feel good. haha. Also, I love ice cream even if it is black. I remember my friends hating it even though it was licorice, just because it was black.

Connie Marcum Wong June 5, 2016 at 5:29 PM Your poem deals with the human aspect of psychological dependency and the fact that color makes a huge difference. Very true Janice. Congratulations on your high placement! Very deserving ! #7 ; ) Janice Canerdy June 5, 2016 at 8:18 PM Connie, thank you so much for your comment! Janice

Kai Michael Neumann June 4, 2016 at 3:12 AM That is fantastic. Congratulations. I have prescribed a lot in my time and in more ways than one, the patient is (almost) always right. Janice Canerdy June 4, 2016 at 7:21 AM Thank you so much, Kai. Janice

Lewis Raynes June 2, 2016 at 10:08 PM I loved this write Janice, and the whole new perspective about addiction. congratulations on ur placement. Janice Canerdy June 4, 2016 at 7:22 AM Thank you so much, Lewis; and thanks for sponsoring. Janice

Balveen Cheema June 1, 2016 at 7:12 AM So realistic, Janice! Janice Canerdy June 1, 2016 at 1:45 PM Thanks, Balveen! Janice

Jan Allison May 31, 2016 at 5:03 PM Gosh Janice you wouldn't expect the colour of a pill to have such an effect on a person - fabulous write good luck in the contest:-) hugs Jan xx Janice Canerdy June 1, 2016 at 1:47 PM Thanks so much, Jan! I was amazed by the facts in that article. I like contests that prompt me to dig! Janice