the way i want to breathe

the damn temporary crown popped off,
even though i didn’t brush too hard
or chew anything sticky,
the damn thing popped off anyways.

it’s hardly noticeable, except when air hits it,
and then the exposed nerve starts doing
jumping jacks on my brain
and my skeleton tries to leap out of my skin.

i just have to remember to breathe through my nose,
and it’s really not that bad all.

as long as i fight against my instinct
to breathe the way i want to breathe,
then everything is fine…

it doesn’t hurt at all.