Madeline Brzeczek
after “O Spirit” by Sumita Chakraborty
I wish to know you by
only teeth, curved gums
which are sculpted from
porcelain and displayed
on my desk,
your canines rounded, unable to chew,
lower molars
still erupting from once soft
tissue, fossilized.
into place – creased pallet
gives way to a delicate
overbite and
aligns with the lower jaw,
we will pass each other by
in the streets, in the store,
not knowing that
I have memorized your mouth,
the porcelain maw stares back, and I know
your teeth must belong to me
I know your teeth belong to me.