When she shaved off my lockdown beard

you hold my face up by the chin

you clasp my legs between your knees

you make sure i stay still

you put cream on my cheeks

sharp blades slide over, baring soft skin

discarding the illusion of a few extra years

you touch my face, your fingers tracing

its contours; you hold up the mirror

it shows me a boy; i think

i knew him when i was younger

i move it aside and see you smiling

i see the home that boy always yearned for