2025, poetry

Sins manifest themselves in cavities.

What is a cavity if not a rotting of oneself?

The failure a cavity grows out of is a moral one.

When finally I die and face gods divine judgment, I will sit under his gaze, shaking and sobbing, and I will apologize for neglecting to floss.

I need someone to forgive me. I would do it myself if only I had the drill.

To drill a cavity, is it forgiveness or punishment?

Surely that which purges a sin from your very bones must be forgiveness. But, it hurts like punishment. When I imagine drilling into my own teeth, what I crave is the pain I feel I deserve.

But,

If you ask a dentist, as you lie on her table,” is this forgiveness or punishment?” She will answer, “this is care.”