I step out my steaming shower
and wipe mist from my shaving mirror.
Who’s that spectre slapping lather
on my cheeks with bony fingers?
He’s the Ghost of Present Tense,
although he haunts the past and future.
When he brandishes his razor,
I grin and offer him my throat.
– Richard Cecil
References/Credits:
- Spectre. n. (1) A ghost; phantom; apparition, (2) a mental image of something unpleasant or menacing
- Richard Cecil, poet. He currently works at Indiana University as a teacher of creative writing.
- Poem: A Poet Reflects (closing lines to “Ubi Sunt?” from In Search of the Great Dead)
- Photograph: Tony Bordonaro, The Shave Shop
Live & Learn 
A bit macabre, but it like it. And damn, Marlon Brando was a handsome young man…..
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Interesting. 2 people, 1 smart (you) and the other read the same piece and take away 2 different perspectives. I didn’t see/feel macabre. (and in full disclosure, I had some other observations below under Mimi’s comment)
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and there is no other way but to accept it. and live it. each and every day.
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Yes.
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“DAVID” (that was my impression of Marlon Brando from “A Streetcar Named Desire” – ok, he yelled “STELLA”, but I don’t know a Stella, and she has nothing to do with this response…well, yelling your name has nothing to do with this comment either..damn. More coffee)
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Should I disclose that: (a) I didn’t know it was Marlon Brando until you and Lori mentioned it, (b) I’ve never seen “A Streetcar Named Desire”, (c) I’m struggling to understand/decipher your comment. (Should I disclose all this?)
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Laughing – nothing to decipher..it was just an uncensored stream of consciousness thing. And I’ve seen “Streetcar” on stage once, but have watched the movie (which is the one which stars Marlon Brando) often – Vivian Leigh, Karl Malden – it’s a twisted Tennessee Williams play (as most of his plays are) – but terrific.
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OK. All those names, blank slate for me. (Still. Sorry. Living in a monastery)
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Vivan Leigh was in ‘Gone With The Wind’ – still not registering? Karl Malden – ‘Gypsy’, some detective show on tv in the 80’s? Ok, never mind. But somehow I can’t picture you in a monastery. 😉
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Gulp. Have never seen Gone With the Wind or Gypsy.
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That’s it – you need to make a date with Netflix.
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apparently!
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A great piece .. You should tell Mimi to get some of that coffee of beth’s … 🙂 … Have a great day David and thanks for another great post this morning …
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🙂 Smiling. Thanks Keith.
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