The Dentist

My mind is OK

But, my body says 'nay

It's never "hip hip hooray"

At the dentist.

What my mind has ignored

My body has stored

I was stunned and floored

At the dentist.

I laid back with care

Unbeknownst, unaware

Of the fear that stood there

At the dentist.

Tears that flowed unabated

As my hygienist waited

For my nerves to be sated

At the dentist.

Terror hidden and ignored

But was very clearly stored

From my limbic it poured

At the dentist.

My hygienist is sweet

But, our eyes barely meet

I just want to leave my seat

At the dentist.

I hang tough, I get by

And I try to deny

But it's hard to comply

At the dentist.

So, I swallow my shame

After all, whose to blame?

I get by, play the game

At the dentist.

Then it hits me like bricks

Why I'm taking these licks

It's not drill nor the picks

At the dentist.

It's.the.suction.

By Sylvia Blakely 3/31/2023

How my dental visits bring back my abortion trauma.