Aqua Velva

[Frank]

Topic:
"Thanks to words, we have been able to rise above the brutes; and thanks to words, we have often sunk to the level of the demons." - Aldous Huxley

Aqua Velva

My grandpa shaved at the same time, every morning, with the same slanted precision.
I'd watch him from the doorway - rosy cheeked, fair skin -
Handsome incision after handsom incision, he'd glide and handle the blade with careful repetition -
"Never go against the grain" he said with candid wisdom - nicking himself like a bandit wincing.
..
I'd listen to the lather thicken, as it jet streamed from the can landing in his .hands,
He'd pivot towards me in the doorway before he slapped his sanded pigment -
"Sonny, when I was a young lad. I had a cleft chin with only 1 strand in it --
was the manliest smelling kid in the whole second grade" Ask your Grandma --
She laughs smitten - as he splashes my face with aftershave - I stand in his image
Enchanted in tradition -
Grandma planted kisses -
I go to school and ask out Marilyn.
And here we are.
Years later.
Arguing in this aisle over the brands of antiseptics.
..
"Sandlewood, oakmoss, lavender and a hint of Jasmine."
The scent of Brute - it's been 72 years my grandfather splashed it on my skin baptizing me in its invigorant passion
I still remember walking into class past Marylyn and his instant attraction
This magic - the drift of its draft - the whiff of it happening
"The Love in the air" - Marylyn says reminiscing sniffing the cap lid,
It triggers a vivid, closed-caption, still of her grandfather - A kid in a cabinet.
Twisting and basking in it, uncapping it, taking a bath in it - and putting it back in the cabinet.
Their grandfather's must've gotten it right or they wouldn't be here yippin and yappin.
This young salesman picks up Aqua Velva and tests the wrists
Masculine smell heavy on menthol, hints of vanilla -
Your other wrist- he splashes and splishes an dabs him.
Old spice - the overpowering notes of sage and cinnamon have him dilly dallying
Distracted Marylyn grabs him and inhales so deep her ribs are crackin
She isn't ecstatic - The salesman picks a classic: a green bottle - with a gentleman in a top hat in British fashion.
The stuff that keeps barbershop chairs swiveling: distinctively dashing.
She winks at him.
"5$ for 3.5 oz"
She holds up the receipt at him.
He gleans adamant. Smiling so fresh and so clean. He reeks of each smell separately sneezing and gaspin'
..
She can't detect her husband - she reaches for her glasses.
She turns her nose up at who she sees - she reacts as if he's a phantom, meaningless, a bastid
..
She doesn't recognize the man she married, who she's standing in line with

"Miss, Next in line"


Yes I'd like to return this Valentine gift