He was a manly fourteen in this photo .

I told him to be steady, focused and slow.

Down stroke about a forty-five degree slant,

You won’t cut yourself. It’s safety, you can’t.

Smooth down stroke your face, a smooth up  stroke the neck.

Stroke ever so  confidently, don’t slice or peck.

At fourteen a step into manhood you take,

It’s a razor,  don’t handle it like a rake.

Now , slide that blade with an ever steady hold.

You’ll be a real pro long before you grow old.

So now from this first shave son, although for thee

Rite of passage for you, maybe more for me.