Comment from Bonnie Seach

Excellent

This habit makes me think of a musician tapping a tuning fork prior to tuning a musical instrument.
The poem is free form. It is well crafted with an interest in theme.
After all these years I am wondering what the author's teeth look like;-)
Best wishes

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2021

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2021

The author now has a guard which has helped to lessen the impact of the grinding process. Thanks for your read and feedback.

reply by Bonnie Seach on 28-Jun-2021

The author is wise, but perhaps not long in tooth ;)

Comment from RodG

Good

The reader gets a precise description of your habit: "a sound like grinding teeth" coupled with " an old rusty hinge sound." You are lucky your wife only closes the door when she hears it. At times you are a bit too repetitive, but overall I enjoyed your poem.

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2021

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2021

Thanks for the read and feedback. I will check the repetition.
Poem revision:
Tried to eliminate some repetition.

When I?m deep in concentration
I grind my teeth and emit a dull
Sound like an old rusty door hinge

I was made aware when in second grade
Sister Mary Jerome put a hand on my shoulder
Gave me a gentle shake. ?Please stop,? she said
Other students laughed, I lost concentration and
Found it hard to get back on task?

All these years later when I?m in the writing zone
I still catch myself, I?m not aware of my echoing thrall.
But that squall allows my wife to know I?m working
So she gently closes the den door

It?s so weird, often, quite often,
I find myself sounding
Long into the night?

I can?t give up my grinding or my old
Rusty hinge squeal because they help
me focus and keep my writing precise.