open wide

the dental assistant
is perky. a head of wired bushy
hair,
controlled by rubber bands
behind her head.
dressed in blue
pajamas.
she tells you about the needle,
the numbing stick,
pills and food. she
takes your blood pressure,
puts a piece of cardboard
in your mouth that makes
you drool,
smiling all the time.
she's young and new.
all day she's at it with
the fillings,
the cleanings, the pulling
of teeth that
are no longer of use.
opening and closing drawers,
telling you
the doctor will be in
shortly. just a few minutes
more.