anatomy of a fall

autumn embodiment

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A loud crack, then a pang of sharp pain in one of my molars while chewing one morning

My breath fogging up the mirror tool in my mouth, reflecting a cavity that was hidden by the sealant that broke

Two hours of drilling after shots of novocaine; dull pressure with pain flashing through

Water dribbling down my chin because I can’t feel my numbed mouth well enough to keep it closed

A full glass of cold water once I’m out of bed in the morning, drinking it down before anything else to help with the dizziness

My vision blurring and pulse pounding in my ears, so close to fainting coming home from the store

Seeing stars, so close to coming from their fingers on me

Her fingers on me and one of theirs in my mouth, splayed out in the middle of their king bed