when i take off my old man beard i see the ruts formed on my face, a grim remorseful rictus, and think way back to when cecilia said don't frown, those lines will become permanent. i walk around thinking i'm mostly smiling and aware of other's scowls, but the removal of the beard shows my face was a mask of pain under a veil of white beard. next i will shave my skull which has no face and remains rather smooth in appearance, hiding the writhing brain

i'm not a good talker copp, but you do help me think.