Dentist

2 receptionists  - and the computer’s frozen.

Clear air hangs outside – so cold –

although these ladies wear their sandals open toed

as if on a beach. Consistent clothing;

browns, blues and greens, no red.

In the corner, dental videos

of procedures – without sound. For this,

we drove here, locked the car, afraid.

She tweaks the keyboard but - still a tragedy

in her VAT calc. The screen is numb. All

to pull faces – by a brief indignity.

She nods us through in the flash of a neon smile.

Is this my fate? – ajar, but strong -

I open the door, wait for the sun.