journey into mystery

[constantine]

used to get my hair cut at ule's
all the guys went there
ule had thin, elegant hands
like a violinist's, i imagine
sensitive hands, effete
he may have been a homosexual
he certainly was a bachelor
ule the barber
did flat tops and crew cuts
whiffles and fades
and the usual
got a flat top once
trying to be johnny unitas
looked like an alien from quadrant four
a talosian with pulsing temples
and telepathic capabilities
it was a long hot summer
ule always had comic books
old marvels before they went superhero
tales to astonish and journey into mystery
lurid sci-fi, malevolent creatures
from venus or the swamp
jelly eyes like a million frog eggs
that never blink
they look dead into your eyes
and they never blink!
that's pretty creepy
when you think about it
so you'd sit on these studded brown leather
parlor room chairs reading comics
the older guys would
get lathered around the sideburns
ule would strop the straight razor
he had steady hands
thin and elegant
sometimes, the back
of his hand would graze
your cheek like a whisper
he would take the red bottle
shake some in his hands
and rub it through your hair
and it smelled nice
he would whisk your hair
off your neck and shoulders
and hold a mirror behind your head
ule was a quiet man,
nice and gentle
he would always give me
bubblegum or a lollipop

[mtmynd]

good write. enjoyed.

brought back some old memories.
blackhawk. turok, son of stone.
never at the barber shop tho...

[Doreen Peri]

Your narrative poetry is so visual and wonderful.

Have you ever written short stories? A novel?
I think you're a natural for either.

After I buy all your poetry books, I'll buy all your novels and short story collections.

Better get started.

My money's getting tight.

[constantine]

turok, son of stone - one of my favorites - damn honkers!
doreen, your money's no good here. for you, it's always a freebie.

[SmileGRL]

this is a delightful poem. truly! i love ule the barber with his alien comics and his steady hand. you transported me.