Lip Incompetence

You’re always smiling.

I’m always happy –

Except it is the structure of my face.

A mouth-breather,

Big teeth and pink gums and skinny lips

Flashing the bright flag of welcome

I always thought they were. 

Joy because Joy is in my name

And it is in my spirit, 

And it is in my body,

Literally my body –

Jaw misaligned

Shallow neck

Sucking in

And exhaling

Without filter. 

I’m always smiling 

Because Joy is in my name.

And I was taught there’s

Always someone more worse-off.

And privilege has been served

To me on a silver platter –

Where I can see my face there

Smiling. 

Do I keep caring

What’s in a name?

Has my reflection 

Served me well?

Certainly me and 

Others noticing

How happy she must be. 

How happy I must be.

Not always, I can say now,

Teeth still bore. 

It’s just harder

For me to hide them,

Why the lines around 

There are more worn. 

Of all the self-diagnoses

There’s been none

More integral to self:

Were genetics 

Or my choices –

Joy’s greatest help?