shaving in the morning

shaving
in the morning
is a ritual
of lather
and water,
the sharp razor
starting slow
against the spread
face. how
the steam
fills the mirror
and your balled
fist let's you
be seen. around
the chin, up
to the ears,
below the nose.
the etching
of steel
against the stiff
bristles
that have grown.
this mirror holds
a thousand
mornings
maybe a thousand
more.