In the Dentist’s Chair

Toss caution to wind!
It had to go…that molar at the back .
And masked,
And sanitised like some old garbage can,
I entered in.

No magazines to read..
No one but me and the receptionist
behind a perspex shield.

The dentist..incognito.. tipped the chair
Until my feet loomed high
like distant planets in the sky
OK ? he said.…the dagger needle
gleaming in the light.

Three times he jabbed the needle in…
The root is deep, he said…
I blinked my horrified reply,
with terror in my eyes.

There’s very little blood..he said.
I know…I know…I sighed…
Life and all its trials therein,
has drained me dry!

And violins began to play.

And as I left, he said..
No strenuous exercise today.
That’s fine by me, I smiled
I’m good at sacrifice!

AND no alcohol today !
No wine tonight ?
Well…that’s not nice,
And certainly not science…

But hey…life is but a game.
Toss caution to the wind.. I say.
As tiny snowflakes drifted in the gale.

Kristine Byrne. Feb.12th 2020