Buzz Me: [Ode to Chau] by Adrian Ernesto Cepeda

Anointed most requested
he is an unmasked Marvel
without a cape. Power gripped
with his lab coated fingers—
not a hit man yet, he snips
like The Professional
but with the same silent dedication;
he stares intently
with blades in his eyes.
He’s quick with scissors—
cutting like Wolverine
but with the grace of Scissorhands.
Our boy wonder is graphic, novel like
but he demands sharp razor responses
for my haircut symphony.
I listen for his music, like
a conductor with his sounds,
beautiful rhythms blurry at first
but I know as I feel the fade
in the back, jazzy grooves
on my temple saxophone dryer
blows on repeat—
as Chau spins me around
to face the heat,
my personal Coltrane
always cuts A Love Supreme
in this basement dwelling,
locker room size barber shop.
Chau drowns out trapper keeper
scat grinning humor with his electrical magic
as my hair falls—
misogynistic comb-over mayhem fuels
our laughter chorus—
this is last bastion for lost Angelino
Joe’s bonding in gray areas
receding our comb over promises—
trimmed just above the ear—
conversations bent leaning
towards politics and X-rated mocking
knockers for sport.
No verbal victories,
My barber concentrates on his passion,
the hair before him.
Like Picasso he speaks with shears
the haircut is his brush.
Only the mirror reflects Chau’s answers.
He knows, I don’t sit for the testosterone talks;
I nod like a catcher
waiting for the heat, buzz me—
last week felt like a losing streak
I need a victory, I say. Already,
like my superhero, he knows, the sign;
No miracles man, I’m feeling invisible—
just resurrect me, this time.
____________________________________

Adrian Ernesto Cepeda is an L.A. Poet who’s lived the writer’s life, traveling on The Road Not Taken, immortalized by Robert Frost. Adrian is currently enrolled in the MFA Graduate program at Antioch University in Los Angeles where he lives with his wife and their adorably spoiled cat Woody Gold.