MR. DADDY SOFT-SOFT

always her fascination
with me
shaving.

this her early morning ritual
observing each action
as if it were holy


I hide my face in foam
“Santa Claus! Santa Claus!”  
she chants

winces with delight
as the razor
(she gulps)

goes over my bump
without
slicing it off

the shaving
uncovers
the me she knows

“Soft…soft! ”
“Mr. Daddy Soft Soft! ”
she gurgles

in a lather of laughter
“Me now…now me! ”
she pleads with me

I take the brush
coat her reflection
with foam.

I shave her
with the tip
of my little finger

her reflection sniggers
&
she sniggers too

later, in the early evening
she appears
bearded in fresh cream

she shaves herself
with a lollipop stick.
“Me... Daddy now...see! ”

I cha cha cha her
on the tips of my toes
as she clings to my

fingertips
dancing around
the living room

one delighted
half shaved
little girl

one delighted
soft soft
Mr. Daddy