Listening to the ins and outs of all my friends’ stories
our chance to do so before school lets out in a couple hours
Lunch was different from free-time like homeroom.
This time of day I had to take out my orthodontia gear.
A task that came along with a second part to remember,
the harder part, now put the retainer back in.

Back in class my usual tooth pressure was no longer there.
My tongue skimmed over my teeth a couple of times
I put it back in my pocket right? Maybe my backpack? No.
Talking to my parents they made it clear I had to find it.
We can’t afford to pay the dentist to make a new one.
Don’t take too long, the garbage collector is coming soon.

When I got in the stench of the dumpster was wretched
but I badly needed my retainer among the disposed foods.
Janitor didn’t provide me a nose plug to lower this acrid
so the smell I continue to battle as its dominance obtrudes.
This is my new fate to find my needle in a stinky haystack.
The smeared ketchup and fries that was starting to draw flies,
slopping through milk soaked up napkins and paper bags.
These tall metal dumpster walls become my one lone solace.
Thankful for the shield from ignominy they provide but
my mind can’t help but wonder what if it’s not even here?

Look! – as I turned over these orange peels and apple cores
There it is! I can finally almost stop holding my breath!
I’ve never enjoyed breathing in fresh air so much as I do now.
and then again when Mom cooked a savory dinner that night.
Tomorrow I need a solid plan. This cannot happen again.
I love to talk with all my many friends all at once
but I’ll still keep an eagle-eye on my retainer case for sure
as the last stench of that vitriol gradually, mercifully, relents.