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# In the Ay-er
- URL: https://dianaludwick.com/in-the-ay-er/
- Published: 2026-03-10T15:31:44.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T20:10:57.000Z
- Description: “In the Ay-er,” in which the geriatric Millennial is awoken like a sleeper cell every time a Bayer commercial plays on the radio. Written March 10, poem 069 in a series of 365 poems written by Diana Ludwick in 2026. Photo by Diana Ludwick (c) 2026.
- Author: Diana Ludwick
- Tags: 2026 Poetry Challenge, Generational, Humor, Poems, Uncategorized, 2000s, Dancing, Embarrassing kids, March, Millennial, Moms, Morning Routines, Mother Daughter Dynamics, NPR, Singing, Sleeper Cell, #Migrated-1792872215677, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-10-24 20:03

I am at that specific elder millennial age  
where I've dumped Top 40 Morning Drive  
in favor of dulcet voices and witty insights  
from *Morning Edition's* hosts,  
Michel and Steve, A., and Leila.   
  
And so each morning  
after I rouse my child (and run away)  
I ask my Home Pod Siri  
to play NPR News in the kitchen.  
  
This month, the public radio   
streaming service on Apple:  
"...has been brought to you...  
...by Bayer Pharmaceuticals."  
  
And every time WAMU plays  
this same Bayer commercial,   
I'm a sleeper cell activated;  
jolted awake, called to dance.  
  
Without fail, I instantly belt out  
in full-throated in will.i.am style:  
🎵***Ba*\-Yer! Ba-*Bayer***  
**Bayer, Ba-*Bay*\-er!!**🎵  
  
Then, at risk of hitting the fan,   
I throw my hands upppppppp:  
🎵**in the *ay*\-er, ay-*ayer***  
**ayer, ay-*ayer*!**🎵  
  
And I repeat this several rounds  
dropping low, pulsing my hips  
feeling young, alive and relevant  
— 'til my scandalized kid cuts in:  
  
"Mom!*Ugh!*   
\[That's her pet name for me\]  
Could you like...*Not?!!*  
If you stopped singing   
that would be *wonderful*."  
  
When sudden ego death   
threatens my existence  
I’ve only one way   
to reasonably respond:  
  
I sing, summoning Flo Rida:  
🎵**Oh hot damn!** 🎵  
 She rolls her eyes;  
I exclaim: 🎵 **This is my jam!** 🎵  
 She exits stage left.  
  
\[End scene\]