“The dentist reassures me that my tongue looks fine, that the sensation I feel of its edge fraying against my teeth is “just nerves.” He assures me that it won’t choke off my breathing. Mostly he has answered “I don’t know” to my questions, but I trust this (I don’t have much choice.)
The pain is a glowing red coal, a slice of hot pepper, a sunburn, an angry yellow jacket sitting on my tongue and repeatedly stinging.”
Enjoy this audio recording of “Just Nerves” by Caroline M. Grant from Vol. 32:2 of CALYX Journal! Buy the full issue here.
Caroline M. Grant is co-director of the Sustainable Arts Foundation. She served on the editorial board of Literary Mama for ten years, including five as editor-in-chief; she has also co-edited two anthologies: Mama, PhD and The Cassoulet Saved Our Marriage. She lives in San Francisco, CA, with her husband and sons.