Dental Hygiene

Emily Kulich

Youflossyourteethinfrontofmeforthefirsttime, Wiggling the thin white string between each healthy tooth. I sit on your bathtub’s wall trying not to slip into slumber and It’s nearly midnight and your beard is growing longer each day. Howlongdoyouthinkfacialhaircangrow? I’m comfortable in your sweatpants- cuffed at the ankleAnd your worn-in long-sleeve t-shirtBoth of which you store in your kitchen cabinet. Oureyesmeetthroughthebathroommirror’sreflection. You pause, with string hanging from two of your teeth To insist, “This is the real me.” And although you’re picking chewed particles From old food stuck in your mouth, I can’t help but notice how striking you are. Holdingoutthelittlewhiteboxyouask, “Wantsomefloss?” Just as serious as a man proposing to his future wife.