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Thank you, my friend,
for doing so well,
and never complaining.
Bristles bend, colors wear away,
you become time-worn
but always ready for work.
Eventually your bristles
will become soft and tired,
and you will limp onward,
doing your duty.
Eventually you will be plucked from the holder
one last time,
and tossed in a dramatic arc
to the wastebasket.
You will just barely have time
to make eye contact
and exchange nods
with the new toothbrush waiting on the sink.
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