by Julian Gobert
The perfect jaw chews through the world’s problems like a baloney sandwich. The perfect jaw saves us from mediocrity. Its symmetry sets hearts fluttering. The perfect jaw takes on a life of its own, and serves a term as ambassador of goodwill in a time of very little or none. Notice the interplay of dialogue and full greasy lips. Watch it emote the full range of human emotions without missing a bite. The clenching and flexing as it eats and talks and chews through scenery.
Dictators choose not to dictate when that jaw is around. It is a strong, clean jaw-line. Stubble makes it feel more attainable, but it is still hopelessly out of reach. Dictators feel sadly weak-chinned around it. They hide behind long bushy beards and fiery oratorical skill. They look for signs of a double chin in the mirror and find them.
The perfect jaw’s personal doctor yearns for the day the TMJ sets in and he can unlock the keys to the inner workings of this wonderful jaw. Nothing can be that symmetrical, appealing to female and male viewers alike. It must be an optical illusion. It must be Photoshopped in. This jaw is the Holy Grail of all mouth, nose and throat specialists. What makes it tick? How does it make the world go round?
Nowadays the perfect jaw wants a piece of the tabloid action. Pictures run for six figures easily. Its owner feels left out. All his humanitarian efforts and baby-making prowess are being over-shadowed. He hides out, keeps the jaw hidden under wraps, swathed in medical bandages, and chews behind closed doors with a palm in front of any probing
camera lens.
Julian Gobert is a filmmaker, composer and writer currently living in Toronto. He received an MFA in Electronic Music and Recording Media from Mills College in Oakland, California. His poetry has previously appeared or is forthcoming in Contemporary Verse 2, Grimm*, Carousel, Quills, Existere, The Chaffin Journal, Freefall, dANDelion, The Nashwaak Review and Pilot Pocket Book. *Please note that PRISM originally printed that Julian Gobert has been published in “Grain” instead of “Grimm,” a Toronto-based magazine. Our apologies to the author and magazines.