Parabolic Dental Arcade

I am trying to write a poem about oranges

About gnashing teeth and how it feels for someone to love you

even when you look primally stupid

humans’ jaws are characterized by

a u-shaped parabolic curve

dental formula 2:1:2:3

this, in many respects sets us apart from the rest of

the hominidae

I am trying to write a poem about desire

rind, juices, sticky flesh

runs down my chin

obnoxious tongue darts out to lick it off

dental arcade refers to the:

curved rows of teeth

on the upper and

lower jaw

I am trying to write about the feeling of being hunched over the kitchen sink

tearing apart the rawhide skin

fingernails sunk in

feeling like you’re taking part in some hideously lustful sin

unlike some apes,

our teeth do not have spaces

to sharpen our canines

despite this, at 162 psi

humans have got one hell of a bite

I am trying to write about the abstract feeling of hunger

about gnawing and wanting and longing

about citrus and seeds and pulp and spit and incisors

and the way it feels to be desired—

no, I am trying to write about

fucking

oranges