Home » Poems » Juliet Ligon » Three Teeth

Three Teeth

three incisor teeth burst through fresh flesh...
opaque as pearls, strong as love, precious 

beautiful baby babbles assertively
mesmerized by mishmash sounds 
that her astounding mouth can make
prose poetry in its practice

as canines erupt, she moans from the ache
teeter-tottering restless to repress pain 
speedily advancing in substantial strength
distracted by oblivious destructiveness

a significant stepping stone approaches
as a capable kindergarten adult
she wiggles loose her first baby tooth
receives a rich reward from a fantasy fairy

more teeth disappear like pressed piano keys
then return acutely out of tune
braces displace awkward half grins
an investment of finances and adolescence 

unstoppable with seducing sweets
she sneaks cuddly candy under covers
falling asleep with sugar plum dreams
not counting a few costly cavities

free-spirited, experimental teen
meets Christina on the street
samples compelling quartz crystal
returns for seconds, as someone else disguised 

mesmerized by mishmash sounds
that her astounding mouth can make
speedily advancing in substantial strength
she lucently levitates to a loftier place

a magnificent mind babbles assertively
sweeping the streets of pixie dust
no need to eat or sleep
like a firefly in heat, she dances frantically 

teeter-tottering restless to repress pain 
distracted by oblivious destructiveness
she visualizes voices that vivify the way
to the day's salacious survival guide

prismic vision's shimmers no longer satisfy
cotton candy granules' sweetness subsides
coming down from kaleidoscopic clouds
half-awake, she moans from the ache

shrill shrieks portray poetry's unspoken pain
death's drab projection is her heartless reflection
hocking heirlooms to trade for a transient thrill
a despondent inhabitant of tragedy

creepy crawlers invade every inch of skin
her thin figure balances a skull's shadow
irretrievable, ill-treated teeth crumble 
like the city's plundered storefront windows

filthy, for granted, forlorn, fast-fading 
...three feeble canine teeth remain 

10-8-2023

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Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 12/27/2023 6:08:00 AM

A sad and lonely path. Your poem is brilliantly crafted Juliet. :)

Juliet Ligon
Date: 10/11/2024 8:17:00 PM

Thanks, Linda.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 10/9/2023 5:30:00 PM

A very unique piece. I am captivated. Addiction steals more than one’s teeth.

Juliet Ligon
Date: 10/11/2023 8:54:00 PM

It sure does. Thanks for your visit.

Tom Woody

Date: 10/9/2023 8:33:00 AM

Oh goodness this is heartbreaking poetry. From the promise and hope for a new life to the devastation of a life wasted on drugs. I once conducted a Bible study with a man who spent years on heroin. Addiction destroys but redemption is always possible

Juliet Ligon
Date: 10/9/2023 3:02:00 PM

Thank you, brother Tom, for the encouragement. My sister's been a meth addict for 20 something years, so this looks hopeless, however we worship the God of miracles. I'd appreciate your prayers for her deliverance.

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 10/9/2023 3:45:00 AM

This is just amazing.... heart breaking and mind shaking, blowing me away, enchanting tales and woes, dreaded yet collecting hearts as they read. Love this so. God bless you, love, Gina

Juliet Ligon
Date: 10/9/2023 7:46:00 AM

God bless you, Gina. I appreciate your kind comments.

Ink Empress

Date: 10/9/2023 3:03:00 AM

This is stunning! So creative. I am in awe of your diction, and also the alliterations you’ve used here so seamlessly! And how you’ve conveyed so much so poetically! A profound write this is! You definitely are such a gifted poetess. I read this twice and was in awe , absorbing so much every time, as every line felt like a poem itself! Fave for me

Tom Woody
Date: 10/9/2023 8:33:00 AM

Ugh! Didn't realize this was so close to home. So sorry

Juliet Ligon
Date: 10/9/2023 7:43:00 AM

That means a lot to me. Thank you. Sadly, this is about my own sister. My mom told me she was going to have more teeth pulled, and I got to thinking how that alone is tragic. The horrific path she chose breaks my heart, even though I didn't like her when we were growing up.