My Dentist Told me He Wanted to Live inside One of my Teeth

by Phoenix Tesni

---

He gave me no explanation why, just said
he’d be drilling a cavity and moving his sofa there.
A safe haven. We all want to escape sometimes, he said.
I get that. I sleep when my feelings get too big for me.
I sleep when I should be writing a letter to myself,
explaining all the things I forgive myself for being
and not-being. He said, YOU UNDERSTAND?
Now, you must sit still as I finish moving. I will
leave my shoes at the gum, and sanitize my hands
as I enter. He started drilling into the enamel,
and with large black shoes, entered my mouth
one step at a time. He told me that the sofa might
get stuck on the way, so I’d have to push it in with
my tongue. It’s been three days, and he shows no signs
of ever moving out. People tell me my breath
stinks and ask me, Did someone die in there?
I don’t know what to say. My tongue gets stuck 
more often than I can admit. I touch my mouth. 
I want him out, but I’m too scared to go to the dentist.

---

Phoenix Tesni (she/her) is a 23-year-old poet from New Delhi. A Best Small Fictions finalist, her work can also be found in Sage Cigarettes, Limelight Review, Verum Literary Press, celestite poetry, and many other places. Phee likes to dedicate her life to consuming and creating art, petting every cat she comes across, and having as much fun as she possibly can. You can find her at phoenixtesni.com or on Twitter/Instagram @PhoenixTesni.

Back to: Issue Nine

Next: Caroline Rubin