On and Off, Give or Take, Seven Years

7 Years More or Less Give or Take

I was to experience this pain, for seven years more or less give or take.

And things have never been quite the same. My life was subtly rearranged.

I got braces in high school. I thought it was not the right move.

Coming home on the bus I was in pain, looking out the window in dismay.

But I soldiered through without tears, the realisation of my fears,

Pain and discomfort always near, for on and off give or take 7 years.

Nearing the end of the treatment, my mouth was out of alignment,

On the left it was hard to chew. So we discussed what to do.

I went to see someone else, and they felt like they could help.

So I began it again, wondering would it ever end.

So I soldiered through without tears, the realisation of my fears,

pain and discomfort most severe, for on and off give or take 7 years.

I still did not think it was quite right, and we consulted an expert one night.

He recommended an orthodontist for me, who I then went to see.

We had it balanced pretty close to true, but an adjustment made it askew.

And it was never quite back again, to the balance that we had then.

Still it’s better than it was. It will have to be close enough.

It will just have to settle in. Because I cannot go back again.

I soldiered on without tears, through the realisation of my fears,

Pain and discomfort always near, for on and off give or take 7 years.