# A Long-Felt Want explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The chapter presents a satirical scene of a sidewalk booth on Market Street offering tooth dusting for five cents, with a queue of people waiting for service.

## Key lines

> Dimly apparent, through the gloom Of Market-street’s opaque simoom, A queue of people, parti-sexed, Awaiting the command of “Next!” A sidewalk booth, a dingy sign: “Teeth dusted nice⁠—five cents a shine.”

A line of people of various genders is barely visible in the hazy darkness of Market Street, waiting for their turn at a shabby booth that offers tooth cleaning for a nickel.

_The opening lines set a satirical, urban scene with a mundane commercial service._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/a-long-felt-want
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters