Notes

Toothpick

Potatoes are stuck between his teeth
from last nights supper,
they irritate me so
I offer him a toothpick;
he says he doesn't need it.

Carrots are nestled within his fillings,
he doesn't seem to notice but I
see them growing mould,
take a toothpick i say;
he doesn’t need it.


I want to pin open his lips,
hook out the compost heap
and dangle munched carrot
in front of his eyes, look see, use this toothpick -
he doesn’t need it.


He tells me he hasn't eaten
but i can smell the gravy from his breath,
There’s crumbs on his lap and
his beard nests its drips and
I want him to remember but -
he doesn't need it.

I see him forgetting parsnips and today
yesterday and yesterday and
he's smiling telling me he hasn't eaten
Calling me Todd Tom Dom
please take a toothpick -
he doesn't need it.

He doesn't seem to remember
last nights supper,
He doesn't seem to notice
he's mistaking my name
and like the forgotten carrots stuck in his teeth
I'm slowly decomposing inside him.


I offer him a toothpick,
he doesn't need it.