You have always been so caring

massaging saliva

into my scalp, crooning

as your nails reddened my skin,

grinning with teeth

festering with centipedes.

One morning you

brought me a carcass,

explained death to me.

Its ribcage still hangs

on my ceiling. A reminder.

I remember when my first tooth

fell out. You laughed

as I bled.

Don’t be silly. It

will be good for my soup.

You must help me collect.

I must help you collect.

My fingers slithered

between the jaws of the wolf –

the crack echoed in the quiet glade.

Its jaw lolled

and I began selecting

teeth.

I let you keep

an incisor.