One counts the passage of years in many ways.
Birthday parties and gifts,
lines drawn along a wall, measuring heights.
School grades passed up and breezed by. All the
Demarcations of adolescence and young adulthood.
But another way is right here in my mouth.
At one time I had nearly all 32 teeth,
but not for long, unfortunately...
Through the 1980s and 90s, extractions occurred!
Infections, bad cavities, abscesses.
Sure I brushed them, daily;
But not enough, apparently.
One by one, they “disappeared”
getting yanked out over the long march of years.
Expensive porcelain crowns getting discarded,
a steel bridge that worked for 30-plus years,
unceremoniously cut in half and thrown away.
Nothing lasts forever, especially your teeth.
No wonder people used to say
“Smile for the camera!”
Record those teeth while they still
gleam within your mouth.
All these years later, and I only have seven left.
Seven that made it all the way to the 2020's.
They are the tough survivors, carrying
scars and fillings and bravely chewing on.
Time will tell whether they accompany me
to the grave, but at this point?
I have my doubts.
Happy chewing, everyone -
enjoy it while you have
your natural chompers.
