As Sharp As a Razor

Me barber’s still one of them blokes who lives the school of old,
using methods quite old fashioned to what modern trends unfold,
so with scissors, clippers, hot towel, then lathered with a brush,
he’ll shave you with a cutthroat, though never in a rush.

And he offers further benefits, if you’re that way inclined,
for just a couple of extra bob, you get your shoes well shined,
and while waiting for your turn, you can read a magazine,
or tune in on conversation, while his razors shaving clean.

He sells those huge cigars as well. I think the Cuban brand!
And there’s Californian Poppy that the young won’t understand.
Wafting through his barber shop is the smell of after shave…
And today there is one customer, who wants to misbehave.

He’ll be in the chair before me; I have to put up with his rot,
his voice is loud and won’t shut up, intimidating all us lot,
so when his time had come, we hoped he’d give us all a spell,
then he demands a shave and haircut and to shine his shoes as well.

I watched the barber lathering, before he beckoned with a call…
then this beautiful young woman came and stood in front of all.
The barber mentioned “Here’s a customer, wanting you to shine his shoes”
and when she bent down to do the job she gave some awesome views.

The loudmouth couldn’t help himself; he had to open up his gob.
He mentioned to the pretty lass, that when she finishes her job,
they ought to sneak away together, and book themselves a motel room,
but from the lass who shone his shoes, a shock’s about to loom!

She smiled into his soaped up face, and gave his shoe a pat,
“I’m sorry sir, I’m married and my husband wouldn’t like that.”
“Your husband!” Scoffed the loudmouth, “Use your commonsense!
Tell him you’re working overtime and I’ll pay you the difference.”

The lass raised her brow and gave a grin, then his shoe a final wipe.
She stood up and took a deep breath before replying to his hype,
“Your offers pretty good” she said, “I’ll go and get my hat and coat,
but you can tell him if you like… he’s got the razor at your throat.”

©2005 Lindsay Laurie
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Babcock Avatar
June 27, 2015 at 4:40 PM
That one is nasty nasty and a razor at this throat. Love your sense of humor and story telling. Nice one Lindsay. Just off to do some babysitting as kids are off to the football game tonight. Rylan finished soccer so went to his last two games this morning. Will try and get a note to you soon. love phyl
Schneiter Avatar
April 7, 2015 at 10:56 PM
Another classic . . . your super-sharp wit kept me on edge (I never was good at humor). Thanks, Lindsay, loved it.
Laurie Avatar
April 22, 2015 at 7:57 PM
G'day Paul... thanks again for reading and leaving a comment. I reckon your wit stands up pretty well in many of the poems you submit Paul. Regards - Lindsay
Williams Avatar
March 15, 2015 at 7:01 AM
Some loudmouths, beside being rude, just have terrible timing & just like the guy on the high wire, if you don't watch your step it can kill you. Kind regards----John PS: just keeeeeeeep writing so we can all be entertained Lindsay
Laurie Avatar
March 21, 2015 at 1:42 AM
Hey there John... yep, dead right. It's all in the timing, and with joke poetry, the final line is a loudmouth's undoing. Catch you soon John - Lindsay
Nunez Avatar
March 11, 2015 at 10:22 AM
LOL! Has the same feel as A LUMP IN ME THROAT, my favorite from you, Lindsay! .You're good, girl! 7 sharp razors! :) Kim
Laurie Avatar
March 11, 2015 at 6:44 PM
G'day Kim... I guess seeing someone in a situation where they could be about to get their throat cut might be humorous... as long as its not you or me Kim... ha ha. Regards - Lindsay
Guzzi Avatar
March 7, 2015 at 3:51 PM
What a story I love the old fashion feel of it & the hint of danger! Light & Love
Laurie Avatar
March 11, 2015 at 6:37 PM
Hello Debbie... thanks for reading and commenting Debbie. Yes, the barber shops today are not like the old ones where they were a meeting hub and the haircut or shoe shine was a bonus. catch you soon Debbie - Lindsay
Hamilton Avatar
March 7, 2015 at 3:42 PM
hilarious Lindsay bet he was shaking in his boots hugs 7
Laurie Avatar
March 11, 2015 at 6:33 PM
Hi there Shadow... thanks for leaving a comment. I reckon he'd more than likely be growing a beard from then on. Regards - Lindsay
Kendrick Avatar
March 7, 2015 at 3:01 PM
Very witty..I enjoyed reading this one which gave hints to its very interesting ending..Thanks for stopping by..Sara
Laurie Avatar
March 11, 2015 at 6:30 PM
G'day Sara... first of all its a pleasure to read your poems, and second, thanks for reading my silliness and putting up a comment. Catch you soon Sara - Lindsay
Marcum Wong Avatar
March 7, 2015 at 12:41 PM
I guessed where this was going but found it delightful anyway. You tell a wonderful clever story in this fun write my friend!
Laurie Avatar
March 11, 2015 at 6:27 PM
G'day Connie... thanks for reading and writing a comment Connie. I suppose when there's a pretty girl, a loud mouthed bloke, and a cut throat razor involved... whatever could go wrong? Regards - Lindsay
Pinet Avatar
March 7, 2015 at 9:26 AM
This poem embodies the essence of humor and paints our thoughts with its nectar, creating magic upon the page. It tantalizes us with succulent imagery to seduce us with the nectar of poetic creativity. Well done. Emile. #7
Laurie Avatar
March 11, 2015 at 6:21 PM
Hello Emile... Thanks for your insightful comment Emile. I think we've all heard this type of bloke in action at times. Catch you soon Emile - Lindsay
Jerden Avatar
March 7, 2015 at 6:46 AM
The verb shine has two main definitions: (1) to emit light, and (2) to cause to gleam by polishing. In its first sense, shine traditionally becomes shone in the past tense and as a past participle. In its second sense, shine is traditionally inflected shined. So, for example, we might say, “The sun shone brightly while I shined my shoes.”
Laurie Avatar
March 8, 2015 at 6:40 PM
G'day there Roy... I can't argue with what you wrote, and your example is evident. I'm thinking along the line of how we murder the English language in different ways. Our daughter spent four years in Hockley County, Texas, and for a month, she thought she spoke a different language, but then she got the hang of it and revisits every two years. Thanks for clearing up the definitions and I'll work on the line. Regards - Lindsay
Jerden Avatar
March 6, 2015 at 8:34 PM
Excellent story, Lindsay! Second stanza would rhyme better with "shined"' I think. Loved the old barber shops and the talk there. Some old fellows just came in to hang out way back in the day.
Laurie Avatar
March 7, 2015 at 12:47 AM
G'day again Roy... You're definately right about 'shined' but I've never spoke that word or heard it spoken. I guess we say 'shone' as a past tense. Anyway I'll work on it. Yes, I can recall the banter of a sort of 'mens club' atmosphere with 'eggshell blondes' just hanging about for a yarn. Thanks for your suggestion Roy - Lindsay
Smith Avatar
March 6, 2015 at 1:36 PM
Excellent Lindsay.... Love the humor....I too like the old time barber shops...a7 and fav....Tim
Laurie Avatar
March 7, 2015 at 12:50 AM
G'day there Tim... Like you, I really enjoyed listening to the stories in a barber shop when I was young. I just wish I had have taped them. Thanks Tim - Lindsay
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