Not Quite Toothless
His amalgam fillings
gone to crumble
Now gritty as gravel
In the pit of his mouth
Now gritty as gravel
In the pit of his mouth
Sunken, littered with leaning vacant spaces
Oh worn picket fence face
of decimation - clinging
unwilling, though ready,
to travel to trash
He speaks of self and sundry far flung-adventures
With echoes of the lion's roar rumbling through
With echoes of the lion's roar rumbling through
The young crowd - well-smiled and schooled in nothing
Watch with vague interest as tentacles fall over the toothlesss man - gasp as somehow he slips through Death eludes Discovery and vaults Disdain to land with an uncertain gummy smile on his feet
In the blurry Balance between eccentricity and individualism
In the blurry Balance between eccentricity and individualism
Smiling
At them
One
And all
Love how "leaning vacant spaces" conjures a metaphor for empty (or lost) promises/gifts/ lives, but also for a lack of education and empathy that seems apparent in the young crowd.
ReplyDeleteWhat a vivid picture you've painted of the old man's mouth, and his "I don't give a damn" attitude as he smiles at the world!
ReplyDeleteWhirling Photo Album
It is a gift, born of practice to be truly comfortable in one's skin and content with the life just as it is.
ReplyDeleteTeeth were the only connection I could find with the words (being married to a dentist), but I could take it no further. You on the other hand have given us a really poignant poem.
ReplyDeleteTeeth was the only clue I could find in this collection of words (being married to a dentist). You, on the other hand have given us a poignant piece of poetry! Bravo.
ReplyDeleteGreat use of the words. I can see it unfold. The second stanza is particularly strong!
ReplyDeleteThis is too good to remain just a "wordle" poem. It belongs
ReplyDeletewhere more readers can enjoy it!
The teeth - an unusual theme.
ReplyDeletePowerful first verse. I am filled with compassion for this character you created with your poem. Great job, Pearl.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this piece, Pearl. Love that his smile shines through at the end. Toothless.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I relate all too well to this man's teeth - the elderly impoverished cant afford dentists - but we must go on smiling because life is just too hilarious! Great write, and cool choice of topic, Pearl!
ReplyDeleteI knew amalgam could be used with teeth but could not find a way to incorporate it...you, on the other hand have produced a slice of brilliance...well done Pearl.
ReplyDeletehttp://thepoet-tree-house.blogspot.ca/2013/10/notice-how-nothing-nohow.html
smiling through it all...if only all of us could.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! You have really painted a vivid picture in a powerful poem.
ReplyDeleteI've had nightmares like that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun place to find yourself balancing between. Sounds like an intersting person to meet!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun place to be balancing oneself...if I could have all my teeth though.
ReplyDeleteYou've been peeking at me haven't you? The best is being able to smile at the world.
ReplyDeleteYou've given such character to the words! Marvelous write!
ReplyDelete"Worn picket fence face." Best line I've read all day, Pearl Girl. Funny, the "amalgam" took me to teeth, too, but I'm afraid I lack the unselfconsciousness of your subject! What a great "stick it" to those who look down on him, and good for him for smiling! Amy
ReplyDeleteSuch a pleasure to read this!
ReplyDeletebalance it out
nice one; this is the second i've read in this week's set with a focus on mouth and teeth
ReplyDeletemuch love...
Old men everywhere are thanking you for this masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteI love how the story unfolded from the tooth filling and built up a picture that left me smiling - because he smiles..no matter
ReplyDeleteVery dental!
ReplyDeletea brilliant tale of dental woe
ReplyDeleteA lovely image of old age!
ReplyDelete