The Art of Shaving (poem) by Lloyd Lofthouse on AuthorsDen

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The Art of Shaving
by Lloyd Lofthouse
Monday, June 15, 2009
Rated "G" by the Author.

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A poetic memoir moment about being in the United States Marines learning to shave for the first time.

My first time wasn’t a Picasso or Rembrandt.

It happened in 1965 at MCRD in San Diego
With jet roar from the international airport next door,
We strained to hear.
The drill instructor looked at his stopwatch.
Beating the sound barrier, he said,
“You have three minutes to shit, shower and shave.
Do not disappoint me!”

Afterwards, in front of that Quonset hut,
I lined up with ninety, wet recruits.
We wore flip-flops
With towels around naked torsos.
The blood streamed.

The DI shook his head.
“You girls are late.
Good lord, my eight-three year old grandmother could do better.
We are doing this again,
and you will have two-and-a-half-minutes this time.
Move you fucking maggots!”

Over the decades, I have shaved with blades and electric razors.
Today, I use a brush to
Work up the lather in a cup.
Using a Mach 3 Gillette razor,
I shave.
The final product is polished.
A refreshing renaissance without the blood.

The Soulful Veteran
a veteran's blog

My Splendid Concubine

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Reviewed by Regis Auffray	8/30/2009

Seems like a rough "baptism" of the shaving ritual, Lloyd. I was never in the army but my father told me a lot of stories. Thanks for sharing. Love and peace to you, Regis




Reviewed by Ed Matlack	6/15/2009

When i went into the navy I was but 17, blond and very fair...I would never had to shave ever if it wasn't for the company commander. I tried but still I had fuzz, actual peach fuzz that could barely be seen, but he ended up shaving me dry and I was in the hospital for two weeks healing and the company commander got a reprimand...I knew him after boot camp and he was the nicest of guys and never seemed to hold a grudge with me...Ed




Reviewed by Gene Williamson	6/15/2009

For all that time I spent in the navy, I can't remember the shaving experience, but I'm sure it must have involved a lot of nicks. Today, I trust my trusty Norelco electric shaver to do the job, passably, sans blood. Incidentally, Lloyd, I like what you did with The Art of Shaving. -gene.




Reviewed by John Flanagan	6/15/2009

Lloyd, Riveting opening and closing lines and in between a hard hard lesson in discipline and the ultimate reality check. This has power and great relevance. Bravo! John

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