The jaws that clamp, the teeth that bite!
Beware the urge to chomp, and gums
whose pain proceed tooth’s might.

She took her Oragel in hand:
Long time the numbed tooth bud she sought,
So breastfed she, in the nursery,
And lay awhile in thought.

And, during that nursing thought he rose,
The Teetherwock, with gums aflame,
Came clamping down through sleep’s repose,
A’chomping as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The kitten teeth did chomp and tear!
She raised her head, and took a breath,
And began to loudly swear.

“How can thou soothe the Teetherwock,
And end his reign of nipple pain?
If his chomps continue unabated
I may never nurse again!”

M.K.E.
Adapted from Lewis Carrol’s The JabberWocky.