Identity, Self & FragmentationPoetry

Gleaming Secrets: The ‘Turkey Teeth’ Phenomenon

By 8 June 2019August 6th, 2026No Comments1 min read
A-turkey-showing-off-gleaming-turkey-teeth-while-other-turkeys-look-on-bemused-

turkey teeth


A short observational poem exploring the modern beauty industry, social media language and cosmetic tourism through the surprising phrase “Turkey teeth” and the changing ideas of attractiveness.


the term used to be beautiful people,
but i keep hearing turkey teeth.

sat at my mother’s house bemused,
hey – i called out to my niece.

what do you mean by turkey teeth?
my nephew looked up

from his cellular & laughed.
she pronounced – o-m-g – then smiled:

people fly to Turkey uncle,
veneers are a fraction of the cost

then strut back to England,
teeth whiter than frost –


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