The Manicurist

The Manicurist

She works at the little parlor
Down at the end of the strip mall
Taking care of clients
Of every stripe and variety

She cleans and beautifies
Only a small part of each person
Not even the most noticed part
Hairstyles, clothes, faces and bodies
Will all draw the eye from her handiwork

But the clients notice
They come to have some artistry
Applied or changed to suit the current mood

Sometimes it is the only luxury
They offer to themselves
Sometimes it is the only joy
They feel they can afford

They always talk
Sometimes light and fluffy things
Dates and shopping, smiles and laughter
Sometimes pain and disappointment
Lost jobs, broken hearts, or troubled lives

She listens
She laughs and smiles when the news is good
She nods when truth is spoken
She clucks and pats a hand to comfort the hurt
And keeps providing that small bit of new beauty
That proves things can always be better

She doesn't have the answers
But she can listen
Sometimes talking relieves the ache
Sometimes the answers are found in the speaking
Sometimes she is a "many-curist"
Helping heal wounded souls
With a little paint and polish, and an open heart.