Under the shining bracket it appears

the slow and shady movement of a tooth,

slave of a cobalt-chromium strong and smooth

which comforts and relieves the white tooth’s tears.

Over its wet surface the bracket fears

the time that very slowly moves the root,

the wire that walk the sliding slot on foot,

and the elastics and ligatures it bears.

Like a mason the bracket builds it all,

putting every tooth in the right place

like the enameled bricks in a stone-wall.

One day, it will leave aside the slow race

when a hungry pliers eat it and a small

and wide-open smile embellish the face.

Alberto Collantes