the mole

you don't have a doctor,
you've never had one,
there's never been
a need. you've toughed
out the flu, stitched
yourself up, everything
has been over the counter.
your medicine cabinet
consists of bandaids
and aspirin. ice packs.
but things are starting
to add up, besides the
chronic knee pain,
there's this mole on
the side of your head
that your dentist keeps
poking at when you give
her another two thousand
dollars to replace a
crown. maybe you should
have someone take
a look at the mole, she
says as she takes your
wallet out of your pocket
and counts out her fee.
shave it off with a
scalpel. it's more
of a beauty mark, you
tell her. which makes
her laugh. she has a
beautiful smile, great
teeth, no moles that
i can see.