The Toothache

by Larry Chamberlin   Aug 22, 2012


Abcess

It's worst at night,
in the quiet,
lying in bed,
no distractions,

throbbing.

You can feel the sensitive
gum tissue

press painfully

on the nerve

with each pulse

in red agony

then the minuscule relief
between heartbeats
that feels
like whiter pain.

And you start thinking

of the pliers,

or a string tied to a doorknob,

or a hammer.

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Latest Comments

  • 11 years ago

    by zombiepikachu

    I'm so excited to read this!c: I wrote a short, flash fiction story over this concept. This is beautiful. I really understand how this feels, and I'm so glad. I've got a lotta respect for you, after reading this. C:

  • 12 years ago

    by Sunshine

    Still waiting for the headache challenge poem! yap 2nd is week over Mr!

  • 12 years ago

    by Darren

    This is great Larry, I know exactly how you feel and I have also considered pliers and the like.

    The best thing about this is when you read it my mouth actually started to throb!!!

    There is real pain in this.

  • 12 years ago

    by Hellon

    I was trying to avoid this poem but..being the curious person that I am I just had to visit! My prime fear (apart from snakes as you know) is the dentist! I never used to be like this but now...I went recently..not that I was in pain but one of my caps broke..right at the front of my mouth so..off I went and...$7,000 later I have my nice smile back...to match the broken tooth up with the other caps which were stained with too much coffee and Cigs would have cost $2,200 so I decided to get them all replaced....just could imagine myself taking teeth out to put on the night stand!

    But...nightmares?....I walked round the bloke a few times each visit before I could open the door!

    • 12 years ago

      by Larry Chamberlin

      Hah! I can picture that: one beauty of a pearly white surrounded by real world coffee stained.

  • 12 years ago

    by Rusheena

    Your imagery is spot on! My gums were throbbing just reading it. 5/5

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