the internet

there is space for three toothpaste flavors on the shelf

you don't even eat them though

only hold them in your mouth to taste

and spit them out

they're washed down the drain
under fluorescent lights
slowly eating away at the tube
the cardboard box deteriorates in the trash

of the flavors there is just one tube of cinnamon 

all are made in an unmarked factory

in the small corner of an unknown state

manufactured by an empty hand

peppermint is available for a limited time

if you buy two two packs of spearmint
you get the third for half off

the entire section is stacked neatly 

and with expertise with the latter flavor

going end to end
top to bottom

the only real choice is spearmint

when you think about it

it's the only flavor that makes any sense

that's why there's so goddamn much of it

it's all gone to shit

the entire thing

really

ya know

the entire toothpaste industry

it's all gone to shit