Broken Front Tooth Poem by matthew harris

(true anecdote circa late 1960's early 1970's)prithee
which cold wintry temperatures re:
wheely jogged unpleasant event in axle all let tea

aye rem member inxs of cold playing air
froze natural on gull din pond,
where over head Canadian geese did blare
honking the latest goose sip
loud and crystal clear,

when from behind a bush
(color of smashed pumpkin)
did peek a deer
alert to any rod nee danger field
by parking upright
either one or both ear

instinct flashed warning to doe eyed creature
lest predator doth lurk and induce fear
while Harris Family and friends
oblivious attired in wintry gear,

which padded material cladding
adequately protected me from cold
caused clouded difficulty to see
(thru fog coated glasses) ,

and muffled keen hear
ring any forewarning
as chief identifier icier
this then gawky child nerd
precariously maintaining balance
on his skates

gliding, than extemoraneous
ill prepareed head over blades swan dive
shutterflying likea bird soon tubby goosed
such attempts made this boy
appear quite absurd
ah, if only this mind of mine shut oral trapdoor,
and force haw debacle with preturnatural wink

did two step quick think,
but woe misfortune awaited
across the bumpy natural rink
blithely jettisoning myself,

to and fro, hither and yon
like a rolling stone
(that gathered no hearty moss)going plink
unaware while in camouflage pose
disguised as one sneaky, slippery icy fink
that snuck up in a blink

found me squarely face down
shattering left front tooth
immediately discovered
via tongue as private sleuth
found me in an extremely agitated state forsooth
as if on fire from red hot chili peppers
wrought jagged dentin chewable booth

a scant mere
seconds to late, when with a crash, which near
concussion smacked noggin
hard against blocky chunk hove ice
informing gap toothed email

(actually, that incident
me quite traumatized) ,
i.e. unpreparedly tasting solid rock hard material -
with ugly reflection that didst stare
from a looking glass re: mirror,
which aye avoided at all possible costs where
to cast and fit mouth
with a provisional crown entailed maybe a year.

necessitating cupped gloved hands
to punctuate every muffled word
to be but barely heard
akin to talking with mouth full of custard
above the quiet riotous mirth
analogous to twittering bird

winning sympathy from parents,
who did level best to tend distraught son
who ushered playback of events
with less disastrous rerun
praying for a high lee angel

to grant reverse outcome brought none
gut wrenching grief
immediately terminated former fun
damage irreversible
and perfect smile of pearly white
forever broke
NOT the least itty bitty funny, comical,
nor countenanced devastation done.