TP

(Things I thought when I went to buy toilet paper 
during the Corona Virus Pandemic)
 
The Chinese thought of you first: paper
for the emperor’s spotless behind.
Back when the rest of us used moss,
or grass, or sticks and stones, 
bones and corncobs, 
wool and lace 
if we were rich,
the water of running streams,
if poor. 
Newspaper, 
if literate.
1890  two brothers put you on a roll,
and off you went,
to help us clean up
and prank and celebrate and take revenge,
and now, it seems, we have forgotten 
how to live without you.
You comfort us,
like pasta, 
also Chinese,
also sold out.
 
(Anna Witte, March 10, 2020)