Under 25 Poetry Europe –

"Dr. Martin" by Ruth Ginsburg Hix

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January 15th, 2026

Under 25 Poetry Europe Contest #1 – First Place

Dr. Martin

by Ruth Ginsburg Hix

I can't swallow it all, Sir.
Let me sip 
at the congealed surface.
Let me dip
my toe in
to test the heat.
 
My jaw can't crack it, Sir.
My teeth have been loose since ten.
They are growing apart
some inherited spat – empty space
where enamel used to be.
 
For a sprig of parsley
or a sesame seed
or a piece of nailbed
or the things I do not say
or a very small pit
of a godly fruit.
 
But not a peach please, sir.
Anything but
a peach.
 
I can't fit it down there, Sir.
There's no more room
in my belly-inn
for unannounced guests.
They must exercise restraint
and call in advance.
 
It won't fit in my palms, Sir.
They are full and cracked and wet
ravines in the skin
which means I'll marry young.
I need them empty
to catch my fallen teeth.
 
Give myself back to me slow, Sir.
In ladled out sips 
from long thin spoons – an altar event
where small boys sing
with parted hair.
 
If we don't have the time, Sir
I'll take it all now, Sir.
I can swallow it, crack it, I can hold it
in my ravined palms
 
If we don't have the time, Sir
I'll take myself back as is.

About the Poet
Ruth Ginsburg Hix resides in London, England.
Read the poet's biography and Under 25 Poetry publications on Ruth Ginsburg Hix's Artist Page.

Under 25 Poetry Collection
This poem is also featured in Under 25 Poetry Collection #1, published in the Under 25 Poetry Library.

Keywords: expectation, self-posession

Previously published in Under 25 Poetry Europe:
what i really want
by Vladyslava Manuilenko

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