The dentists in Marrakech Poem by Edwin Torres

The dentists in Marrakech
collect teeth to tell stories

The more teeth they collect
the more stories they have to tell

Worn-out wooden signs have all manner of
gum & teeth, drawings & paintings for each dentist

The dentists in Marrakech are skilled
at pulling out molars & wisdom

In tiny cubbyholes, along
narrow medina streets, you can glance inside

No waiting room, no receptionist
you walk into their dentist's chair and mirror

Could be a barber
but there is no pole, no scissors

Just knives, pliers, a hand-operated drill
and a smiling dentist waiting for you

Smiling with perfect teeth
not his own

The dentists in Marrakech
will give you a good price for every tooth pulled

It is an honor for them
to remove your mouth

The stories in their jars
are priceless