It just barely light out side and I am shaving my face
I used to stand over the sink and shave
But for the last decade I have discovered, and come to relish, shaving in the shower.
I love the steam and the hot rain drops that envelope my consciousness.
I fill the palm of my hand with a spot of shaving cream
For a minute I become lost gazing into the foam, transfixed as if it were a crystal ball
I know that all of the answers to all of my questions are in that foam somewhere
I am one with my Gillette.
I am not alone and as the blade slides over my chin.
My soul and I share the moment
While the water pounds on the shower wall and drowns out all of yesterday’s concerns
I decide who I will see today and who I won’t.
Gently under the right nostril I plan where I will take my wife for dinner on Friday
Below the left nostril is reserved for selecting vacation possibilities.
While the upper lip stiffens and provides a platform to consider mundane trivia
Such as who was the woman on the elevator who told me to be sure to say hello to the family
I did not know I could sing until I started shaving
It amazing how a tune will rise to the surface to the tip of your tongue
As the razor seeks to carefully pass by over my adam’s apple.
Should I have sideburns this week?
I think not, I need to have a serious dependable look for my client at lunch.
I have a mirror in my shower but some times I use it and sometimes I don’t
My trusty razor knows every nook and cranny of my two faces
The one that I display to the world and the one that only I can see
Underneath my chin is where I have imagined some of my best poetry
But my cheeks have gotten quite jealous
And argue about bills I must pay and how to solve world hunger.
I have to carefully trim my bushy eyebrows lest someone should think I am a wild old man
I wonder how I would look with a van dyke or a goatee.
I suppose I would resemble some old wizard because all of my whiskers have turned gray.
Earlobes, gotta do the earlobes, there is no dignity in hairy earlobes.
What If I quit shaving all together and just let everything grow out.
I could probably find a used Harley Davidson and some motorcycle boots, I would fit right in.
My lower lip is a really tough spot to do
Still I won’t complain, I mean, I glad I am not a lady
I don’t have to shave legs or armpits that I would dread.
And I am not bald yet so I do not have to do my head.
Sometimes when I do my throat and I am not singing, I talk to God.
There have been days that I have enjoyed our exchange of thoughts so much
That I have rinsed off, got a new hand full of foam and started over,
So that I could finish our conversation.
Usually these occasions are preceded by an extremely close shave that I had on the day before.
Some times the best shave that I get is on Saturday mornings.
This is when I sometimes just take the shower and skip shaving entirely.
On these occasions I just sing either out loud or under my breath the whole time,
And emerge from the shower reborn to go about my business all day in a casual manner,
sporting a growth of stubble that announces to the world “I AM FREE”.
At least until Monday when I get to shave again.
mikeb