Milk cartons tell a story of my life

Yours too

Every Tuesday at the grocery store

I open the fridge

And freeze for a smidge

I take a second to scan expiration dates

They change each week

A different fate

Each one means something, stamped in blue

April 20^th, May 14^th

When I was a kid, they said it was good for our bones and teeth

I’ve been drinking the stuff for forever

With chocolate, with oats, sometimes alone

It’s one of the things I couldn’t do without

I have no doubt

Almond milk and goat milk aren’t the same

I need the white stuff in the clear plastic jug

The expiration date is also a must

I see it change each week

Each carton’s the same but unique

My body changes a little too

As does yours

How do you pour? Do you drink it in a glass or straight from the carton

I won’t go harpin’

Just re-cap that blue lid

Go on strong like when you were a kid

Each Tuesday repeats

As does my reach

Into the store’s fridge

For that carton with the white liquid and blue lid

The dates progress

How long does it have on the shelf

Oddly enough, when I look at the milk cartons, I look at myself

I look at the milk in the jug with expectation

Do those jugs ever really break down

When is expiration