The Tooth of Time

Unfortunately the German expression "der Zahn der Zeit" meaning the ravages of time does not exist in English. The tooth of time mercilessly gnaws away everything: beauty, solidity even stone.
Additionally it rots away itself. Teeth are marvelous symbols for our progress through life.
They hurt when they arrive, they cause trouble when they try to leave you again.
From milk teeth to wisdom teeth they are a kind of clock for your biological age or just the detectors for the effects some of your unhealthier habits.
So consider the tooth, from the tooth fairy to the sabre-toothed cat, from cradle to grave, from shining white to utterly rotten.
So the most evident victims of the tooth of time are teeth itself. This idea makes me smile a big smile showing almost all of my teeth.

Today, on my way to the dentist, I passed a border control that held up a number of refugees. I wonder what the future will hold for them and for us. May our teeth rot together in peace and understanding.