One tooth wiggles and falls out 

the one next to it loosens right away

Salted blood pools centering her tongue. 

The next one is easy out

with just a light plucking

the next three pop out like dried corn off the husk.

Her smile now a mouth of broken piano keys.

Books about dreams will tell you 

teeth dreams are about losing control, 

breakdowns they say.

Breakthroughs she hopes for.  

Can it be both? 

This one smiles anyway, 

she has learned the importance

of making a mess into an opportunity.