The Pills
A takeoff on The Bells by Edgar Allen Poe22 total reviews
Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill
One time I was taking so many pills in the morning I just called it breakfast. I drank them with buttermilk to help them slide down and stay there. Dose by dose I chose one pill a month to do without, to see if it was necessary. My thyroid pills I kept. My hormone patch I kept. Eventually I gave up the oxy. I never took the bloodpressure pills they gave me. Did you read the side effects? Now it is vitamins. aspirin for arthritis and heart, and Tylenol for pain. No nerve pill, sleeping pills, spasm pills, Bladder pills., or constipation pills. No Rx pain pills or patches. Karen
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2024
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One time I was taking so many pills in the morning I just called it breakfast. I drank them with buttermilk to help them slide down and stay there. Dose by dose I chose one pill a month to do without, to see if it was necessary. My thyroid pills I kept. My hormone patch I kept. Eventually I gave up the oxy. I never took the bloodpressure pills they gave me. Did you read the side effects? Now it is vitamins. aspirin for arthritis and heart, and Tylenol for pain. No nerve pill, sleeping pills, spasm pills, Bladder pills., or constipation pills. No Rx pain pills or patches. Karen
Comment Written 27-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2024
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That's interesting. I've also been trying to cut down on the number of pills I take and have managed to successfully get off a few. The remaining ones seem like they are necessary.
All the side effects you read about can be frightening and confusing. They don't happen to everyone, and many of them eventually go away as your body becomes more accustomed to taking the drug. But they are required by law to list them if anyone has ever experienced them even if only a very small number have.
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:-)
Comment from royowen
I have youthful young man I taught guitar, an African boy whose mother had escaped terrorism, he's now PHD in pharmacy, he said medication not designed to cute...just delay one's demise,hehe, thanks Huri, I said...youth, who needs them, well done Jim, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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I have youthful young man I taught guitar, an African boy whose mother had escaped terrorism, he's now PHD in pharmacy, he said medication not designed to cute...just delay one's demise,hehe, thanks Huri, I said...youth, who needs them, well done Jim, blessings Roy
Comment Written 16-May-2024
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Thanks, Roy. That's a good point. I like that.
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Well done
Comment from Ulla
Hi Jim, you do describe so very well how you go through your ritual of filling your weekly pill container. You make it sound funny as well. I'm lucky, I only take one pill a day and nothing more. All best, Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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Hi Jim, you do describe so very well how you go through your ritual of filling your weekly pill container. You make it sound funny as well. I'm lucky, I only take one pill a day and nothing more. All best, Ulla:)))
Comment Written 15-May-2024
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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Oh, you are so lucky, Ulla. Hopefully it will remain that way, but time has a way of causing more and more need for additional pills. I guess we should feel lucky we have them, though.
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
Well, damn, if this isn't the most creative thing I've seen in a long time on this site! That's your voice, I assume? How did you do that? I would love to hear more poets read their work.
And you've hit upon the "pill box age" many of us find ourselves in - and with good humor! How many times did I watch my mother fill her pill box and tell myself, "That will never happen to me."
Jim, you know how much I like your poetry, and this one is no exception. Well, it is exceptional:-)
Thanks for the bravery you've shown in allowing us into your life; I bet many who review will tell you they do the same.
Great reading you again.
xo
Pam
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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Well, damn, if this isn't the most creative thing I've seen in a long time on this site! That's your voice, I assume? How did you do that? I would love to hear more poets read their work.
And you've hit upon the "pill box age" many of us find ourselves in - and with good humor! How many times did I watch my mother fill her pill box and tell myself, "That will never happen to me."
Jim, you know how much I like your poetry, and this one is no exception. Well, it is exceptional:-)
Thanks for the bravery you've shown in allowing us into your life; I bet many who review will tell you they do the same.
Great reading you again.
xo
Pam
Comment Written 15-May-2024
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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You're right, Pam. Most can identify with the message of this poem. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and thanks very much for the 6 stars.
On the input screen, down at the bottom next to the Save and Spell Check buttons is one called Show Advanced Options. One of those advanced options is called "Reading," and it allows you to enter an MP3 file of up to 3 MB. I recorded the poem with a headset on my laptop using free recording software and edited out the bad parts. But you can also record right on your phone with a recording app and do whatever you need to do with it to get it to where you will attach it using the "Reading" button.
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You are a tech wizard!
Comment from nancyjam
This is very funny and entertaining, cleverly mimicking Poe's style in "The Bells"
Yes I imagine taking so many pills would be a nuisance but think of the alternative. We probably wouldn't live as long.
I really enjoyed it.
Nancy
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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This is very funny and entertaining, cleverly mimicking Poe's style in "The Bells"
Yes I imagine taking so many pills would be a nuisance but think of the alternative. We probably wouldn't live as long.
I really enjoyed it.
Nancy
Comment Written 15-May-2024
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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Yep, that's the best way to look at it. Thanks very much for your great review, Nancy.
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Jim,
I used to take a few more pills than I do now. I only take three, and two of those are for low thyroid. I was on some statin drug, but it caused me to be in more pain than I already was, so I quit. I was on a few other things as well, but I can't recall what they were for. I'm sure a lot of pills could be eliminated by a good diet and exercise, but who knows. On my trip I had to take a laxative and then something to stop the flow. It was so much fun. Gotta love getting older buddy.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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Hello Jim,
I used to take a few more pills than I do now. I only take three, and two of those are for low thyroid. I was on some statin drug, but it caused me to be in more pain than I already was, so I quit. I was on a few other things as well, but I can't recall what they were for. I'm sure a lot of pills could be eliminated by a good diet and exercise, but who knows. On my trip I had to take a laxative and then something to stop the flow. It was so much fun. Gotta love getting older buddy.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment Written 14-May-2024
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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So, you know whereof I speak. You're right about some of the pills. I probably wouldn't need the blood pressure medicine if I carried fewer pounds and exercised more. And perhaps my arthritis wouldn't be as painful if I would quit eating so many sweets. But I look at it like this: If I get really ailing, I can do a lot of things to stop it. I pity those without any bad habits because if they get sick, what are they going to do? They'd be like a sinking ship without any freight to throw overboard.
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Ah, a very good point Jim. I could certainly do better for myself too. I'm not all that fond of taking pills. About half the time I forget to take them. I dropped on on the floor today and I think it went under the dresser. Oh well.
Comment from Wendy G
lol. I feel your pain. Seven years ago I wasn't upset to learn I had a rare and serious illness. What did upset me and make me feel old was my purchase of a pill container! For the pills I needed - and for the pills to counteract their side effects! To me that was the epitome of being old. A fun poem, I enjoyed it a lot.
Wendy
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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lol. I feel your pain. Seven years ago I wasn't upset to learn I had a rare and serious illness. What did upset me and make me feel old was my purchase of a pill container! For the pills I needed - and for the pills to counteract their side effects! To me that was the epitome of being old. A fun poem, I enjoyed it a lot.
Wendy
Comment Written 14-May-2024
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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That's funny, but so true about buying a pill container. A sure sign of aging! So glad you enjoyed the poem, Wendy.
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
I especially enjoyed the reading of your poem, although I managed to catch the rhythm as I read the poems. Isn't it pathetic how many pills we have to take, way more than our parents, I think. Maybe all that valium they took kept them from needing so many as they were soooo relaxed.
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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I especially enjoyed the reading of your poem, although I managed to catch the rhythm as I read the poems. Isn't it pathetic how many pills we have to take, way more than our parents, I think. Maybe all that valium they took kept them from needing so many as they were soooo relaxed.
Comment Written 14-May-2024
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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Thanks so much for your great review, Carol and for the 6 stars too. I did think my parents took a lot of pills, but I think I may have them beat. If not, it's close.
Comment from lancellot
Very nice, and in answer to your final question. I would say your parents. Because that would mean you'd live a long life.
A take on a classic and one that most members of FanStory can relate to, and those few who can't, well they will in time, if their lucky.
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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Very nice, and in answer to your final question. I would say your parents. Because that would mean you'd live a long life.
A take on a classic and one that most members of FanStory can relate to, and those few who can't, well they will in time, if their lucky.
Comment Written 14-May-2024
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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Yep, they would have gotten the last laugh. It's a mixed blessing, alright. Though it's a shame to have to take so many, it's certainly better than the alternative.
Thanks very much, Lance, for your good review and the 6 stars too.
Comment from gansach
I really enjoyed reading--and listening to--your poem. Using the Poe poem as a pattern was an excellent idea and your words fit it so well. I had to laugh because my dad was just the opposite--he was told to bring in all his medications before a surgery and the nurse thought he'd forgotten. He had a vitamin bottle, cinnamon capsules (that I made him take), and one pill from his heart doctor. My dad was 96 at the time. Your poem aptly describes the woes of aging into the infirmities that come with it. Great job!
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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I really enjoyed reading--and listening to--your poem. Using the Poe poem as a pattern was an excellent idea and your words fit it so well. I had to laugh because my dad was just the opposite--he was told to bring in all his medications before a surgery and the nurse thought he'd forgotten. He had a vitamin bottle, cinnamon capsules (that I made him take), and one pill from his heart doctor. My dad was 96 at the time. Your poem aptly describes the woes of aging into the infirmities that come with it. Great job!
Comment Written 14-May-2024
reply by the author on 15-May-2024
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Thanks very much for this wonderful review and the 6 stars too. Your dad was very lucky he needed only those few supplements and only one prescription. I'm envious!