Makeup Poem by Charles Eastland

MAKEUP

In a working girl's ritual hour of precision in the morning
after a parley with the first waking sounds
and peering at the curtain, out to the day's weather face
there's an acrobatic comedy fervor in the morning rushes
in the blow-dry flying hair and routine performed from bedroom
to bathroom mirror to mirror
where the artistic eye applies itself
to itself
accenting
stroking
mascara and blush
perfected
though never perfect
to her
she may disguise her "ugly" for them
but from me she cannot hide what is beautiful
with sleight of brush
when at that moment in the door the routine trance is broken
she tilts her head, smiles
and says
"I love you—see you tonight"

I abandon the glaring survivor mask in the mirror
and indulge the grin
of brazen contentment.

Charles Eastland
Amazon eBook: The Car Has Ears