Jack-o-Lantern

 

 

I took that tiny seriated knife

from the pumpkin carving kit

to fix the way my frown forms a rainbow arc,

both ends depositing gloom into my chin.

 

So I sliced upward, a northeast curve

through the Orbi Oris which is no ordinary

sphincter muscle, not when

the strata of fibers weave a web high up

into the face and down into the lips.

 

Unfortunately I sawed into the Buccinator set which

every at-home surgeon knows NOT to do,

so I said what the hell

and plowed on through the Modiolus

and the Maxilla like a pizza cutter. 

 

I wish I hadn’t severed the Orbi Oculi because

it snapped like a tense rubber band, knocking out

the support system for that side of my face.

My cheek sent an avalanche of puffy flesh

slipping down the mountain,

a sight which caused my right eye to panic

and almost jump out of the window.  

I really thought my nose might go at any moment.

 

The mirror is telling me I made a big mistake.

I should have practiced on my left side first.

 

--rLp--