I took twenty-one pills today

One when I woke

Three as I do every morning

Ten for a head pain that still won’t disperse

Seven this evening before I read my book

Out of twenty-one pills the one I forgot matters most in this moment

Forgetfulness is a plague for which I am afflicted

I forget schoolwork until the zero notification appears on my phone

I forget my bathing suit

I forget my exercises day after day, promising myself I’ll do them twice tomorrow

I forget which shows I’m watching, which books I’ve read

I forget conversations I’ve had, plans I’ve made, promises I’ve made

I forget the pains I’ve felt, the hurt I dealt, the fears I had

And time after time I forget to reach out to doctors, schedule appointments, order medications

It’s naught for trying; I set notifications, I use my planner, I keep lists

But

I am wondrously good at forgetting