Stand Tall                                                                        

My front tooth
is recessed
Restless
Maybe it has someplace better to be
Like that
inflamed balloon
at the back of my throat.

It’s scrawny
Small
The kind of tooth
bullied and poked
and told to step back in line
I encourage it to
Stand tall
Be proud
Strong
Resilient

“Be yourself,” I say

And when you’ve hit the wall
have the balls to
shout “fuck it, I’m
walking”

Peel yourself from the
grey decay
you’re wrapped in
Hike the El Camino
Climb Machu Picchu
Drive an RV across the States,
writing about how hard it is
to dislodge yourself from
your family, your friends, your dog
And if you’re lucky enough
to be sprinkled with pixie dust
Don’t sneeze
Don’t blow
Inhale
Snort
Breathe
Ride that high all day.

Doug Raphael practices architecture in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he lives with his three children, wife and Wheaten Terrier. He has been published in; “Studio East 94-95” (Dalhousie University Press), “The Affordable Homes Program” (McGill School of Architecture) and “Planning Housing For Change” (McGill Affordable Homes Program). He is currently enrolled in the creative writing program at Dalhousie University and is struggling to figure out how to make writing a full-time gig.