surely you remember the ritual of putting on a face.

the cream, the base, the make-up, the powder.

the rubbing of eyeshadow onto the finger then the eyelid

the spitting into the mascara so the brush

will take it up the black stone, the brushing of the lashes,

then the liner to outline the new brightness of the eyes.

and the lipstick, put on with pursed lips

the touch-up for the day – the guarantee

together with the perfume

for a perfect day.