Remains

Butterscotch Life Savers
One of my dad’s favorites
I used to eat an entire roll
Eat myself butterscotch sticky sick
I’m sure it was the chemicals
Artificial flavoring like crack
That kept us coming back for more

Black Jack gum
Best licorice taste I’ve ever known
Turn your tongue and teeth black
Just like my dad’s
Who chewed it all the time
I’d buy it by the five pack
I can still smell that spice

So many trips to the dentist
So many pounds stay with me
My dad quit smoking
Butterscotch Life Savers and Black Jack gum
Weren’t around by the time I quit
A reminder of what’s passed
And still remains