The key to happiness is to eat an orange in the shower,

So every day this week I stood under the pouring head

Of your shower

Drinking one large glass of Emergen-C.

I could have eaten a real orange,

It’s just that my throat has been sore recently

From begging for your effort

And I’m worried it’s a sign

That I’m coming down with something bigger.

Could you make me a glass of Emergen-C?

One packet stirred into a glass of cold water

Is all it takes 

To prevent future illness,

So it never has to become anything bigger.

It says so right there on the label.

If you would have just read it,

Like I asked,

You would already know.

But it’s okay.

I’ll read you the instructions once more,

Even though my throat is raw.

And tonight when you fall asleep

I’ll roll over and whisper them in your ear,

So they will seep into your dreams

And it will be almost as if you thought to follow them 

All on your own.

It’s not that I can’t make it myself

It’s just that my knees are far too week

To lift myself out from your shower.

I still believe in a key to happiness you know.

It sits on the top shelf, just out of my reach.

But you are tall

And your arms could touch heaven

If only you wanted to. 

But it’s okay.

At least the water that pours from your shower is warm.