Edmund White
Art by Stephen Andrews
Stephen Andrews - Self portrait as afterimage (2009)
Oil on canvas, 48x30cm
Courtesy Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto, Ontario
Shaving
My father would spend hours shaving with the hot
Water running and running, but as if in penitence for
So much narcissism his only cologne was witch
Hazel, liquid masculinity. When I shave I think
Of a childish lover I wronged who would always say,
“Tap tap tap” as he tapped his razor clean of
Hairs. I wronged him by not fulfilling his last wishes before
He died. Of Aids. Or I remember my office colleague who
Said while shaving he fainted. Funny little fugitive
Thoughts before the mirror, some not so funny.
Stephen Andrews - Self portrait as afterimage (2009)
Oil on canvas, 48x30cm
Courtesy Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto, Ontario
My father would spend hours shaving with the hot
Water running and running, but as if in penitence for
So much narcissism his only cologne was witch
Hazel, liquid masculinity. When I shave I think
Of a childish lover I wronged who would always say,
“Tap tap tap” as he tapped his razor clean of
Hairs. I wronged him by not fulfilling his last wishes before
He died. Of Aids. Or I remember my office colleague who
Said while shaving he fainted. Funny little fugitive
Thoughts before the mirror, some not so funny.
