The Unnecessary Shave I had never shaved another man before The beard had overgrown the razor’s competence So I resorted to a pair of scissors first It was excruciating – Not the tedium of clipping hair But the utter pliancy of My father’s head I worked away until A semblance of the person Who inspired fear With just a glance Had been restored Somehow I had managed Not to nick his face Though it was even harder To accept his silent thanks So instead I lectured him about his health And promised to be back Before his beard could take revenge On me again ________________________________________________________________________ Emanuel E. García, Wandering Bark, 2013 |