i purchased an electric toothbrush recently.
what was once a haphazard attempt at removing the day’s filth has now become a structured and intentional routine.
the toothbrush counts the seconds and signals to me when to move to the next quadrant.
each tooth gets full attention, all gums are cleared of the plaque.
“no tooth left behind,”
the brush drones on.

the buzzing stops. i spit. i rinse.
and the day goes on,
and i disappear.  

where is the signal to shift my focus from the head to my heart?