Feel the Pain

Today you awake with a toothache on the brain.

(Actually, the teeth have nothing to do with what

you’re feeling, but the blame has to be placed

somewhere.)

You don’t feel like smiling, so instead of pointing

the finger at that inconsiderate neighbor next door,

your anger turns inward, and a defenseless molar

becomes the focus of your ire.

You could have kicked the dog instead, but you

realize that teeth have a tendency of rotting away

while hiding beneath the gums. Be that as it may,

you feel the pain. It is palpable and real.

There has to be a root cause for the distress you

feel. And suddenly it all makes perfect sense—

teeth do have roots hidden from view. It’s difficult

to explain, but clear enough to presume, a decay-

ing tooth is to blame.

There is this pain just below the surface, which no

matter how hard you try, cannot be brushed away.

Insufferably, you trudge through your day with a

damnable toothache on the brain.

Chris Hanch 8-4-17