Tuckerbox Poems

RUTH’S TOOTH

I had a groovy girlfriend

her christian name was Ruth

suddenly she complained one day

about an aching tooth.

She made a dentist appointment

with a painful moan and groan

she could barely be understood

upon the telephone.

She spoke with the receptionist

and reluctantly confirmed a time

realizing she may get nervous

on Thursday at half past nine.

Ruth asked would I accompany her

and maybe work as a team

stand and hold my hand real tight

and be there when I scream.

The day had come it was no fun

a morning of pain and deception

she parked the car the walk was far

then she strolled into reception.

She was guided to the waiting room

the appearance was pristine

trying hard to settle the nerves

with a Women’s Day magazine.

She was called into the engine room

and was invited to sit down

he started probing her exposed teeth

and poking his mirror around.

As the dentist slowly retracted

he said ‘I will be exact

I’ve finally made my decision

I’m going to extract.’

She clenched both armrests firmly

then began to fret

her forehead had accumulated

little beads of sweat.

She said “I’d rather have a baby

than have a tooth that’s in despair”

He said “You better make your mind up

before I tilt the chair”.

Then a fully laden needle

anesthetized her throbbing gum

it didn’t take much time at all

before Ruth’s lip was numb.

The anesthetic quickly set in

her view was turned to night

within a matter of minutes

poor Ruth was out like a light.

It didn’t take much pulling

to create a gaping hole

then the sound of a molar tooth

bouncing in to the kidney bowl.

Ruth was finally relieved of pain

because it was a little rotten

another vital part of Ruth

was gone but not forgotten.

So that’s the intriguing story

of my lovely girlfriend Ruth

and the unfortunate departure

of her aching molar tooth.

© 2022 Neale Kirkland