..

Check-up

My new dentist has a TV on the ceiling
affixed right above the chair. One loose screw
and it smashes through your pearly whites.
She reclines my seat. The screen lights up.
I’m transfixed by the circular mirror next
to my mouth. There’s a sparse desert landscape
dotted with black trees bereft of branches.
I turn back to the screen when I realize
it’s just my chin. There’s a leopard staring at me.
My dentist leans in to speak. I contemplate two
sets of green eyes. The leopard begins to snarl.

The young antelope falls exhausted after
the chase. The leopard doesn’t pounce or
ravish the hard-earned prize. Just gently holds
the antelope in place, fangs pressed against
the soft hide. My seat lifts up. The dentist
shows me an x-ray. One tooth separated
from the pack. Just let it be, I want to say.