I’ve lived my life in a 10 mile radius

At 34-years-old now

I didn’t know back then it would amount to this

I drove past that building today

Where I used to sit in the cushy chair once a month

Behind or before all the other private school kids

Our parents couldn’t spend enough

For three and a half years in every season

I’d find myself there

I was reserved back then

I was 9 when they were installed

Asked my mom to be there

When the hygienist called

I cried when the bottom rods were put in

My mouth ached

The orthodontist said, “Piece of cake,”

Back then he didn’t always wear gloves

Those rubber bands on my teeth were tightened every few months

I ate Lucky Charms one time and the plastic around a wire popped

I fixed it myself

Back then time felt like it was forever stopped

My yearbook read “Class of 2007”

That day would never come, I thought I’d sooner see heaven

Couldn’t wait to get those braces off

But time crept forward – 3 years

When I was 12 they finally removed the braces

I decided it was time to face it

I took it like a champ and told my mom to stay in the waiting room

They were off so fast, I didn’t cry

My teeth were straightening so soon

They snapped my picture – a new smile

Time flashed like the camera, goodbye

I headed straight for the bubble gum

And marshmallows, taffy, tootsie rolls

In the days of basketball and trolls

I smiled everywhere I went

Picked up some lousy nicknames along the way

Labels that thankfully didn’t stick

Time continued to tick

My smile shined

In all those yearbook photos and Facebook memories

Forever etched in time

Now so my teeth don’t move I wear my retainer at night

Time keeps going

No matter what path I choose

Lucky charms don’t appeal anymore

New private school kids come and go from that brick building

The thought is chilling

As I watch the cars racing

As I’m engulfed in my career

Even despite my braces

My teeth will fall out

My flesh will disappear

At some point I’ll have to do without my mom’s presence

We’ll all be replaced

I’m not sure how many years it’ll take

But unlike marshmallows and shooting hoops

It’s now the traffic, jobs, relationship static, angry mobs

Making it all count isn’t exactly a piece of cake

But within my radius I’ll do my best to keep smiling