Sunscreen

Coppertone used to push sun-bathing products promoting "healthy" tans. The company swiftly changed to lotions and creams with various SPF ratings when the world woke up to the serious skin damage caused by the sun. And now like a faithful acolyte I buy and apply their latest potions hoping to keep UVB and UVA rays at bay.  

Sunscreen

Grease paint, war paint smeared across my face,

Ghostlike impressions linger in its wake,

SPF residues of chalky-white lace.

Summertime beckoned with a sunny embrace,

Most of us applied bronzers, unaware of the stakes.

No grease paint, war paint smeared on this face.

Then warnings and sunblock came to replace

Fairy-tale suntans. Hard to trust a remake

With SPF residues of chalky-white lace.

My fingers rub it in, try to leave no trace.

But despite being careful I still spot mistakes

Of grease paint or war paint smeared on my face.

Some days I look like a clown, a disgrace

With cheeks blotchy as a sugar dusted cake

Thanks to SPF residues of chalky-white lace.

Aging traps us all, and UV rays hold no grace.

Although I grumble, I know healthy skin takes

Grease paint, war paint smeared across my face

Leaving SPF residues of chalky-white lace.

Marilyn Aschoff Mellor