The Man With No Face

She meets me with mask already on

Halloween-contrary, it covers her mouth and nose.

Ushered to the very end of the hall

Where screams are muffled by distance?

All the while she makes muted chirpy "mmm-humms"

Meant to soothe, or nervous habit?

Placed on the long slippery chair, a dental banana

Metallic arms of lights and trays enfold me

One by one, instruments are laid in neat rows

Instruments for probing, scraping, poking

She clips on the blue paper bib,

Tucking it neatly under my chin

More muted chirpy "mmm-hmms"

He arrives behind me as my head dips back and down

I see only white legs, arms, gloved hands

I close my eyes, succumbing to the mystery

The needle reaches from my palate to my brain

Once, twice, pain to eliminate pain

We wait.

Muted, chirpy "mmm-hmms"

We begin, drilling away the old.

Inescapable noise, unavoidable smell

Hands come and go, objects come and go

Lips pulled, jaw stretched, back arched, hands clenched

Gloved hands in, gloved hands out

Two hands, three hands, four hands

Muted chirpy "mmm-hmms"

Rinse, spit, drool

Pick, tap, push

Images, fittings, colors of teeth considered

Test, trim, place and hold

My smile is restored, my crown is complete

And still I have never seen his face.

"Mmm-hmm".