jason’s teeth

by markk

Posted to Action Poetry on 2002-12-05 12:01:00

jason wants to sell me his teeth,
two tiny white enamel molars
ripped from his jaw. he prys
open a little orange treasure
chest, shows me the jagged
remnants of the dentist’s work.
i’ll make you a deal, he says,
i’ll let you have them for only
two dollars. looks up at me
with a look that only a ten-
year-old con artist could offer.
i ask him why he wants to
sell his valuable teeth. he
looks down, kicks at the leg
of a chair. “if i could get two
dollars, i’d have enough to
get my brother a christmas
present.” there is really no
descision to be made. i’m
now the proud owner of
two orphaned teeth. i shall
give them back to him
tomorrow, & i won’t ask
for my money back either.

–markk