Off the Coast

ROOT CANAL

I.

the overhead light is a python shining into my eyes.  
this office is full of hissing: drills, rotors, a hanging
S at the end of a passing sentence. 
they have taken so many x-rays
of my mouth these past few weeks

there the infected tooth stares back
in its gray and black graveyard
deep in its flaw

II.

the doctor numbs me with a needle,
puts a cloth in my mouth, a cape
to make my face a superhero. 
it’s an uncomfortable placebo, 
makes me think of super-strength
defense as she scythes the pulp out of me

III.

the doctor says god, 
this is a pulp boulder

I have been looking toward heaven
digging and scraping many silent minutes

IV.

a drill

bats squeal and fly from the cave of my tooth

V.

the assistant tag-team switches for
a different assistant

the doctor says we’re finally getting somewhere

on the radio:
♪ like a virgin. touched for the very first time ♪

VI.

the scent of bone

or blood

or gum

or healing

VII.

the assistant says she visited the chickens last week
cute as dickens

I learn chickens have no bladders
and no bone marrow

and here I hold my urine

VIII.

the doctor tells me open wide
shoving cotton in my mouth

♪ shout, shout, let it all out ♪

IX.

they’re trying to figure out the actress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
the doctor holds a scalpel over my mouth
the name at the tip of her tongue

I have an eternity to remember
Hodrey Hehurn I say

they’re proud
and there are no complications