Relax the skin around your jaw.
Trust the blade like a lover's teeth.
Where bristles mount resistance draw
Against their flow to shear them clean.
Take care the upper lip: it bleeds
Most readily when held too stiff.
Let it hang loose, the razor needs
A yielding place to catch its grip.
Take shorter strokes and, by all means,
Use shaving cream to oil the way.
Work slowly; do not rush the scene.
A hurried hand can go astray.
With moderation, press your strokes:
Not too timid, nor too bold.
The art of bloodless cutting, folks,
May save much grief as you grow old.
George Chadderdon © 1997