loosing teeth

We pull; the tooth has the power to hang on by a thread
We tug; what dangles delivers the spirit the final challenge
An action taken by the self and no other.
Chew or chomp, brush or floss
our mouth is a sea of mutability
Laugh or cry under the heavy pliers
Eyes riveted and the tongue
like a snake, searching for that gap
From Babylon our milky teeth sail
Under the watchful guidance of the silver moon.