I have a toothache,
undeservedly,
in my opinion,
since I brush regularly,
floss daily,
do the recommended gargling
with the recommended product
at the recommended frequency.
I receive compliments from my dental hygienist,
am told that if I continue to care for my teeth,
I will have them all the way until my death.
No dentures for this cowboy.
And yet…
here I am,
with this toothache,
not aching consistently,
but frequently,
acute when I eat something that aggravates it,
though it seems that my teeth are not particular.
Soft foods, hard foods,
proteins, sugars, carbs…
it doesn’t seem to matter.
Indiscriminate is this toothache.
The dentist doesn’t see anything wrong,
no cracks, no inflammation,
nothing amiss.
The toothache hides in fear when I see the dentist,
returns when I leave the protection
of the dental professionals.
I am told by a friend that pain
is a way for the body to
communicate to the mind
that something isn’t right,
something has to change.
Nature doesn’t speak in words.
It uses other tools.
I’m baffled,
but I sit quietly in a chair,
review the thoughts, tasks,
goals, conversations
of my day to day.
Ponder my lifestyle.
Reflect on my personal relationships.
Is there something here that requires change?
Yes, something must change.
But what?
