was all he needed to
make the sickness go away
two a day
two times three is six
large white monstrosities
made his muscles burn
back ache, legs cramp

side effects took hold
and anxiety
waiting for blood tests
and bowel movements
his fingernails grew
as did his beard
he tossed, turned
insomnia invaded

he woke up on day four
looked in the mirror
peeling around his eyes
tingling on the skin
discomfort in the gut
he massaged his belly
six little pills
and not one had worked