Dental Agita

Scaredy-cat DOUBLE-YOUilliam,
itchy-scratchy toss-and-turn skin bag
under covers, mosquito-ravaged un-
sleeper on a summer morning, compulsive
alarmclockradio sneak-peeker on dental-
appointment day, the hour looming
when the masked lady will do her
recession-poking in the unfrozen, gaping
gaps, the scraping, the ultrasonic
scaling, vacuum-tube sucking. Later,

like a little kid leaving the birthday party
with a goodie bag, I slowly swipe my tongue
across the back of my polished teeth
and flash the dogs a smile.

Full-flame Trash Can

the band rises as one
a pivot of attitude
an artery of plenitudes gathering to
thump to the hot end of the whirlwind
where a crazed beat
and the organ’s breathy vibration swell
a pulsing titan flexes tight the
drum stick shaken not stirred
blurs yellow on the down stroke
the high hat pings
the boss lady sings
come with me baby I’ll
set you on fire
the horns are smoking
the axes shred
and waves crash on the flayed goat