I thought this poem would be appropriate to rerun.
Sunscreen
Grease paint, war paint smeared across my face,
Ghostlike impressions linger in its wake,
SPF residues of chalky-white lace.
Summer once 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
Fairytale 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
