The tooth

sorenbarrett

Rusty nail driven into jaw bone, eye blind, shock to core of mind
Face a fist clenched, tongue a copper taste, skin drenched
Before I loose my mind a dentist I must find
Called, made it explicit, needed a tooth pulled, scheduled a visit
Sitting in the chair, skull throbbing, curled my toes straightened my hair
X-rays taken, he took a look, I'll send you to a surgeon as my hand he shook
Your plaque says dentist I said, pull it out the tooth is dead
Too dangerous! retorted he, held out his hand with glee to collect his Judas fee
From Herod sent to Pilate my tooth to probe with a stylet
To escape crucifixion, to my office I went with conviction
Took a pair of pliers from my desk drawer, and corruption in pieces from my maw I tore 

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Comments +

Comments5

  • Priya Tomar

    Witty poetry criticized health sector
    It blends realism with sharp wit
    Well worded....

    • sorenbarrett

      Thank you Priya for the read and understanding comment yes it would have been just a criticism if it had not happened

      • Priya Tomar

        You are most welcome

      • arqios

        This poem hits like a blow to the jaw; visceral, darkly comic, and unapologetically graphic.
        It swings from the brutality of a rusty nail to the absurdity of DIY dental surgery,
        all while weaving in biblical allusion and a fierce sense of agency.

        • sorenbarrett

          Thanks Cryptic your words are always appreciated. Absurd it seems but truth is stranger than fiction and twice I've had to pull my own teeth because the dentist wouldn't do it.

        • Tony36

          BRAVO

          • sorenbarrett

            Thanks so much Tony

            • Tony36

              You're welcome

            • Poetic Licence

              I got a chill reading this, some homes I was in this happened or tying to a door and slamming, I felt all the pain as i read this, nicely expressed

              • sorenbarrett

                Thanks Tobani for your read and words of support. Sorry to raise unpleasant memories. Sometimes we have to take things into our own hands

                • Poetic Licence

                  You are very welcome

                • Goldfinch60

                  Ouch!!

                  Andy

                  • sorenbarrett

                    Thanks for the read and empathy Andy



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