This week's Poetry Bus is driven by the rookie driver, 120 Socks, and so far-so good! I've chosen the prompt, "The last time I was there...." and below is the poem. For my fellow Americans, Happy President's Day weekend! (I really really REALLY need these 4 free days. How 'bout you?)
Photo from Google Images: 6thsenselondon.com
The Last Time…The last time I was there,
she scrubbed and scraped
poked and prodded
flossed and fussed
asked me questions
and seemed to understand
my mouth-filled speech,
asked me questions
and seemed to understand
my mouth-filled speech,
draped an x-ray proof
jacket upon me
left the room
to "take pictures"
stuffed my mouth
with a fluoride tooth tray
again left the room
called in the physician
who poked and prodded
gaped and nodded
examined the pictures
and stated quite satisfied,
“Your teeth are fine!”
Upon checking out,
the receptionist announced,
“That’ll be $400.00, please.”
I’ll return
when my tooth aches
more than my wallet.
Jeanne I. Lakatos 2011
Brilliant Jeanne, poetry, pain and empty pockets!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Socks! I was instantly inspired by your prompts. : )
ReplyDeleteFOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS!! How much does it cost if you have BAD teeth, like mine!
ReplyDeleteFunny punchline there Jeanne, enjoy your mini holiday!
Yes, I really need to acquire some dental insurance, but I take good care of my teeth, so I feel it's an unnecessary expenditure... until I make that occasional visit just to get them cleaned. UGH! Thanks, Peadar. I'll be plugging away at the dissertation all weekend. : )
ReplyDeleteOuch! We have dental insurance through Dr. M's job thank goodness (it's part of
ReplyDeletethe medical)- I didn't have to pay anything on Monday when I went. But my teeth
were fine too - oh joy!
I'm still laughing ~ your poem is great. Your dentist needs to hear you read this. My last vist cost $1,000+ !!!!
ReplyDeleteI simply don't go. Partly because of the money, partly because of the abject fear. Brilliant ending to an all-too familiar ritual! Happy Presidents Day for tomorrow (I see the apostrophe before the S - is it for Washington, or the current president or the office of the president, or what?)
ReplyDeleteDana: You and Dr. M. may adopt me. : )
ReplyDeleteHelen: So glad to help you share that $1,000 smile!
Peter: Thanks! Well, it began as Washington's birthday, then Lincoln's (born Feb. 22 and 12 respectively), so that is the reason for the 's. Since the gov't. has lumped both holidays into one weekend, I guess that should read s' now.
Just like over here! Good one, Jeanne Iris. Made me smile. Crookedly.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Titus. I'm so glad this one brought about your beautiful smile.
ReplyDeleteYou are not lacking a sense of humor, that is for sure. It takes one when a dental visit costs $400. Great description of the time spent in the chair.
ReplyDeleteMy dentist is also a sculptor. His office is built in the round (per his design), with the center being a pool out of which a 30' whale sculpture is rising to the ceiling. He spouts water constantly because inside his belly my dentist placed a giant pump that draws water from the pool, up through the body, and out the spout. All of the exam rooms are built off from the center like spokes with no wall separating us from the whale and the relaxing sounds of the water. All told, the doc is high in my estimation for his artistry and he also has a great sense of humor (jokes are free, as he always notes).
Lydia: When I was a little girl, my dad would take all of my siblings and I for a group dentist trip in Royal Oak, Michigan. One of the best memories of that trip was the fish tank that my dentist had in the waiting room. I've since learned that swimming fish have a calming effect on the human psyche. But a whale spouting water... now that's creative! Where is this dentist? I'd love to visit! Thanks for sharing this with us, and thank you for your kind words, too.
ReplyDeleteOooh I do hate dentists! nice work!
ReplyDeleteI avoid the subject like the plague.
thanks!
Yikes - I feel for you - that's a lotta moolah. A 'painful' poem - in the right way.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Izzy. I still enjoy receiving my free toothbrush after each visit, though. : )
ReplyDeleteThanks, Padhraig. As Plato observed, "Pain and pleasure flow from the same stream." How we balance ourselves in the wading is what matters.
Nicely ironic. (Would President Obama's plans give you free dental care?)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lucy. Any new Health care plans would probably not change anything. It's all smoke and mirrors, no matter which political party is creating the plan.
ReplyDeleteI've had that "abject fear" of which Peter G speaks, but I conquered it and now I'm quite happy with our dentist and the price they charge for the work is reasonable.
ReplyDeleteI have been in your chair though and I can relate to the experience.
I like the repeated pokings and proddings (in your poem).
Kat
Hi Kat, Yes, I'm always very happy to leave the dentist's office with a fresh smile and a new toothbrush. : )
ReplyDeleteSometimes, those pokes and prods take a while to heal, which is also a good thing because then, I end up eating soup all day.