WISDOM TEETH

WISDOM

i’m easing in to growing pains again a throbbing knocking pulse that stretches raw my jaw is burning-hollow-hard-and-hot the tidal tissue pink and red and soft

when i was little the growth of my muscles couldn’t keep up with the stretch of my limbs i was ahab losing a leg i would call my mother breathless my eyes blurred she rubbed my back and gave me medicine and her hands were strong-soft a reminder that she could contain my pain in the cup of her palms crumple it up and throw it away

i might be moving to the other side the part where teeth and words solidify i ask for surgery, slowly get down just take them out now please i need them gone this wisdom won’t do good i need my mom

i’ve become dumb numb infantile incompetent mute i hate pills but i take them and wait i guess for these growing pains to settle down

TEETH

Anne Overton