My son went to the barber’s shop
To tend his hair and beard,
For both were getting far too long
And needed to be sheared.
The barber comes from Turkey
Where they do a thorough shave,
With towels, hot and steamy,
And a cut-throat for the brave.
I’ve heard a lot about this place,
It’s like a horror story,
With some of all the things they do
That sound a wee bit gory…
They shove a blow-torch in your ear
To singe off all the hair,
And fill each nostril up with wax
And rip the hair from there.
They ‘thread’ your eyebrows till they’re neat
And cut and shave and trim…
But when my son came home again
His face was set and grim.
“They waxed my face! The whole damned thing!
They waxed from chin to brow!”
“Your skin looks …er…” “I’m traumatised!
I need a coffee… now!”
His hair was short, his beard well-trimmed,
His eyebrows shaped and neat,
His ears and nose were free of hair…
His face red as a beet!
“You should see what they charged me too!”
He was not very pleased…
I wondered if a cold ice-pack
Might offer him some ease…
I’ve wondered if the salons
Could improve my fading face
But after this, I think that I
Will accept age with grace.
It’s always said to Vanity
That women are the slave…
But in pursuit of beauty
I’d not want such a close shave.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Oh! That is a wonderful poem Sue! Teaches us the travails of vanity! Beautifully penned!
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Thank you. All true too, Jai 😉
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
OUCH!
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😀
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That made me laugh and wince at the same time. I can imagine really hating being subjected to that experience !
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My son’s face was a study on crimson when he came home 😉
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I bet it was poor fellow !!
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😀
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Nick won’t be repeating that experience I bet!
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I very much doubt it, Jaye 😉
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Great poem, Sue, but what a painful experience. I hope he’s recovered from the trauma.
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He keeps looking doubtfully in the mirror 😉
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wonderful words, sue. and so funny. i’m guessing this was a one time experience for him )
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I can’t see him risking a repeat 😀
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I like the account of your son’s journey to that barbershop. I understand Peter Wells’ feelings. I maybe too sensitive too since the story brought me to wince at particular moments. Nice versed indeed. Skillfully versioned in a poem indeed. Xx
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Thank you, Irini 🙂
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*I AM maybe…
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Ouch, Nick. Great poem, Sue…. ❤
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Thanks, Jane. I shouldn’t have laughed…. but his face was a picture 😉
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Great piece of writing. Vanity wrapped in humour. What we men go through!!
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And I thought it was just women 😉
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All for the greater cause! Whatever that might be!!
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😀
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Cheers.
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An absolute delight!
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I’m not sure my son thought so, Violet 😉
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Had my legs waxed once….. that was enough. Thinking the Forty Year Old Virgin chest wax here (and apparently he did that scene for real)
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Never fancied it myself…and after hearing what the lads have been through, I won’t be tempted now 😉
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I was young, just married and in my twenties. The now-ex suggested it. I should’ve said ‘You first’.
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I’ll remember that if anyone ever suggests it 😉
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😀
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Lol Nick, careful what you wish for!
Sounds like hell behind the barber’s door.
You must look so handsome all trim and neat Determined croppers will not accept defeat.
Redness shouldn’t last too long and all will be well.
It just a shame to hear your wallet went through hell.
Great post Sue really enjoyed it 💜
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Brilliant response, Willow 🙂
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Lol 💜
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Lol! Must be tough.
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Heh 😀
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😃
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So clever, dear.
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Thanks, Rae.
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Sounds rather traumatizing! I hope your son has recovered. I once had a face peel – sort of the same thing, and not to be repeated!
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He was in shock when he got home… and I couldn’t help laughing, I’m afraid…
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Now you all can see, how difficult a man’s life can be! Lol Great poem showing how masochism works. Lol
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I saw it with my own eyes… a painful process 😀
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I got you, Sue! 🙂 Seems this was the sadistic part of it. Lol
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Perhaps so 😉
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Wow. That sounds rather traumatizing. Sorry that it also made me laugh. I’m with you Sue on “accepting my age with grace.”
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It may take a while before he forgives me for laughing, but honest…his face… 😉
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Oh, Lord, poor Nick! Guess it’s a lesson learned the hard way. Hope he’s recovered.
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He has faded to pink today 😉
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And I expect his face is probably soft as a baby’s behind. 😉
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It certainly looks it 😉
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Poor lad. … my eyes were watering as I was reading. 🙂
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So were mine when he told me about it (though the laughter may have had something to do with it 😉 )
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Just so! 😀
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Good poem, Sue. I wonder if many men go through that for beauty. Probably more than let on. 😀 — Suzanne
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I know both my sons have been there… though one won’t be going back again 😉
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OHHH! Sending my sympathies to your son – – for me? Never thought of paying or DIY waxing, but after the scene in “What Women Want” movie, of Mel G waxing his legs and trying various ‘beauty/girl’ tools, I just decided – girl or not – I’d be safer off just pretending I’ve never heard of modern beauty tools – – LOL. I can injure myself with most of them – 😀
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I don’t think Nick had any idea what was about to happen until they ripped the ‘face mask’ off and he realised it was wax 😉
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Wow!
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Poor Nick, it seems he got more than he bargained for. I’d stay away from that place in the future. 🥰🥰
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I believe he intends to, Michelle 😉
The sad thing is, he was getting all tidied up for his cruise to see the northern lights next week for his birthday… he booked it nearly three years ago. And it was cancelled today due to the prevailing health threat.
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Such a shame, but it’s better to be safe. What a crazy world! Stores here are out of any sanitizing products, toilet paper, peanut butter. Schools in Ohio (and many other areas) are closed at least until the end of March. Kids will be doing their classes in online forums. Stay well. ❤️❤️
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It is no better here, the supermarkets are out of a fair few products, thoughschools are yet to close. Be well xx
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