Force Feeding Vegetables

Force feeding vegetables
as my appointment nears
My stomach in knots
my brain won’t shut off

It has been 2 weeks
Since the initial sharp pain
With hot and cold
I’ve tried to adapt

The dentist was wrong
The endodontist was kind
I didn’t need antibiotics 
Root canal may not be needed

So I’m having my filling replaced
Like I initially asked
I should never question my gut
Even when doctors do

I’m ready for the nightmares to stop
This is worse than usual
Because it’s my front tooth
A part of my smile

In one I forgot earbuds
Another my tooth cracked off
In one I took my pill too late
and had a visit from an old derby friend

I don’t understand
Why an office that advertises 
Sedation dentistry
Tries to talk you out of pills

Treating me like I’m drug-seeking
Or overreacting
When I’ve done this for 20 years
I miss my Minnesota dentist

“You’re so sensitive”
He says at every appointment
Like I don’t already know
Like it’s a surprise

But this office is better
Than the other two I tried
The first was sloppy 
The other gaslit me

Almost worse than the pain
Is not being heard
I know my body
Better than you

Next time I find a new dentist
I will ask about medication
So there are no surprises
Before I go in

I’ve lost too much sleep
Over this one tooth
Fixation isn’t helpful
But I can’t turn my brain off