Wisdom Removal

As the assistant slips a mask over my nose I inhale calmly. A considered plan for my benefit, our usual offering. Reckless but worthy reflections are left in the past, stumbling thoughts on the death of some local cells. My mind is focused on being a worthy offering, an honorable subject.

Air is sweetened to 40% with a peculiar scent. The assistant kindly inquires and I reply. I try not to betray, or acknowledge, childish fears. Untimely memories. I wait. No humor nor euphoria, but a weighty tingling sets in. The worst sometimes happens, but only rarely. Minor exceptions. Granted, the worst must happen one day. Little cells being cut off from sense, memory, time.

I feel the place slipping away, feel being separated from the memories. I am with an assistant in a dental office, there is a ceiling and light above me. I am in a dental office, there is a ceiling and light above me. A ceiling and light above me.

Where am I?

Is this it?

Flashes of the distant past I thought lost. Memories folding into the present then fading. It's over, I've lost them. Time slips, now is all that's left. The ceiling and light are still there but not in truth. It's been forever, it is forever. I'm stuck in a cycle and I can't get out, the gear turning over and over. Am I at death's asymptote? Or will I leap? No it's forever and it's torture and now I'm trapped I'm trapped I'm trapped and I can't escape.

The sights sharpen and an assistant looms above me but it's just the forms, just the remnants from before. I know they aren't real, only a taunting illusion returning. "Is something wrong?" "Something is wrong," I swipe. A mask comes off, yes the mask.

"Everything is okay." "Is this a dental procedure?" "Yes, you're fine. Vitals are perfect." "What day is today? Is it September 9th?" "September 1st." "The 1st, I'm sorry. I think I was falling asleep." "It's okay, that happens sometimes."