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