Ever starred at someone's open mouth <br />And noticed the teeth that are peeking out, <br />Sometimes they are there to see <br />Even when the owner doesn't want them to be. <br /> <br />Perhaps the lips are drawn tight <br />To hide some mystery from the light <br />Or to project a grim unsmiling face <br />Making sure that there's no joy in this place. <br /> <br />But mostly teeth are there to bare <br />So everyone can the moment share <br />As example when the camera flashes <br />To reveal the pretty white ones. <br /> <br />Of course there's the Terry Thomas gap <br />That is a trademark of his grin <br />When he with perhaps a lecherous smirk <br />Is going to do someone a bit of dirt. <br /> <br />Or when in television glare <br />The pretty anchor is about to share <br />Some bit of news with breathless presence <br />Announcing some catastrophic event. <br /> <br />But I prefer to remember most <br />Those teeth that long ago gave up the ghost <br />And while yellow and sculpted with cavities many <br />Are saved to remind one of the relief from agony <br />That a visit to the dentist office brought <br />When extraction was the solution sought.<br /><br />Sidi J. Mahtrow<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/thoughts-on-teeth/
