woke up at nine, i did
shower and dress, coffee and out the door
no one in the building but we
lock it up, catch a bus
wait 45 minutes cause i’m early and prompt
or he’s late, no one knows for sure,
neither of us care
one dental stitch removed in two minutes
walk two clocks and back
for a dental x-ray
full mouth, with empty mouth
so short guy comes in, tells me stand up
and stand still
sticks plastic in my mouth for me to bite
like a bit for a Rex the Wonder Horse
then he is gone, the short guy
i close my eyes
whirring noise
i know what is happening
being completely conscious
this is when entire life zips by
i am playing sand lot ball and swimming
pledge allegiance, practice piano
graduate, get married
they tell me go out and wait
then i get the xray
walk it back to the dentist
two blocks is nothing on a sunny day
other dentist is returning from lunch
i give x-ray to him
saves myself a flight up walk
everyone happy, he was going there anyway
then bus to Pasquali’s
do i want amatriciana or white
with speck and zucca, that’s bacon and squash
son and cook sister convince me to go white
quarto of red wine
pasta is very good
M. had an oh-hum salad with tuna
and effervescent water in a plastic cup
take a small bus home
the driver is whistling
killing me softly with his song
with headphones on
and we’re home again
by three p.m.
mark it down as a full day
when you are 65
Friday, February 11, 2011
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3 comments:
Consider it marked as a "full day" and a great day at your home in Roma. I was lucky to be there for a fair piece of that life that passed before you. I would love to do it again, just as it was. When the priest would turn and unload an "Orate Fratres" and you and I would come back with a "Suscipiat" perfectly synchronized from the kneel... and we didn't have to worry about gagging on a stiff dental film. Thanks for the fine post Rex.
Hi Jack,
Thank you for sharing your busy day. I like the rhythm of this poem, matching the pace of the day, busy, but not necessarily unpleasant (except for biting down on that plate for the X-ray- I always hate that myself). I like this line: "effervescent water in a plastic cup."
"Pledge Allegiance" might be a good second title?
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