TOOTHPASTE

tonight
I’m at the end of the tube
but I won’t quit
because
each night
if I try hard enough
I am able to squeeze out
just enough
for one more brushing

but I can't toss
the rolled up
emaciated tube
into the trashcan
I am too frugal for that
too environmentally conscious
too against waste

and I know
that tomorrow night
I’ll be able to squeeze out
just enough
for one more brushing

so the only thing
left to do
is go on squeezing
and brushing
squeezing
brushing
and wondering
when the fuck will it ever end?