SMILE

I like it when my mouth feels clean,

 a sparkling smile and teeth that gleam.

Brushing my teeth is not a waste,

especially since I like the taste

of my whitening tooth paste.

 The bristles brush down from the top

then to the bottom my tooth brush drops.

Up and up the bristles go

cleaning teeth the way they grow.

I have a smile, clean and bright.

Now off to bed, I'll say good night.

     For fun today try writing a poem,an ode in praise of your toothbrush, or your dentist.  Have fun writing.

T.J. Discovers Braces

T. J. DISCOVERS BRACES

On Monday

at Burton GeoWorld Magnet School

a young autistic boy

names body parts.

He touches my neck and says, Neck.

Touches my necklace. Necklace, he says.

Hair.

Eyes.

Eye brow.

Chin.

Lips.

When his warm fingers touch my lips,

I smile,

show my teeth and braces.

His dark eyes look inside,

he pauses, considers,

then, proudly announces--

A teeth necklace.

    Some of the most rewarding work I have done is with special needs children.  I always get so much more than I give. They teach me so much.  I love this new word for braces that T.J. taught me.  He made me glad that I wore braces. He taught me to see them as jewelry--gems. Do you have a special needs friend you'd like to write a poem for?