Page 37 - TheBridge_Vol16

TEETH

Elizabeth Brady

i wake up at 3:43 am,
dragged out of slumber by fear.
my teeth are going to
develop cavities and fall out
right now.
i will never fall asleep unless i brush them
i will only feel better if i brush them
i will get up and brush them
and so i slide out of bed
and grapple with my doorknob in the dark.
the fluorescent bathroom lights are still on,
a premature awakening for tired eyes.
i avert stares from the mirror as
i smear white paste onto my brush.
the mint makes my mouth taste
foreign and sharp and not mine.
i spit.
i shut off the lights.
i go back to bed and never fall asleep because
i don’t feel better.
i feel defeated.

Vol. XVI | 25