bloody bristles

i brushed my gums raw tonight
trying to scrub away the
plaque you left on my teeth.
your kisses were so sugary sweet
and i was quickly addicted.

i forced those bristles to
scratch my mouth
i looked down and spat out that
pink mixture.
1/2 mint
1/2 rust.

desperately trying to rid my body of
your taste
your scent
your saliva

weeks old with no reply,
yet still creeping through
my body.

snaking itself through
my veins

i watched that minty rust
swirl down the drain

next time i'll scrub harder.