Cologne by Chris Biscuiti

Darina Belonogova

Cologne

I thought I’d teach you how to shave
as you ask me about cologne
you’d say it’s only men’s perfume
we’d laugh, I’d hold that sound like stone

I know I’d miss you as you grew
you’d go to Binghamton like me
we’d talk briefly between classes
I’d stare at the empty driveway

You’d come back around in due time
filled with mid-20’s hopes and fears
you’d swear you think you found the one
we’d talk about it over beers

We’d never forget your big day
your mom would cry during the vows
we’d pop champagne, I’d close my eyes —
I wake up now to laughing sounds

You’re happy and clapping in bed
and today you reach for my hand
I transfer you to your wheelchair
you smile as if to thank me

I thought I’d teach you how to shave
and you’d ask me about cologne
we won’t laugh over men’s perfume
I hold your bravery like stone

© Chris Biscuiti

Chris Biscuiti

Chris Biscuiti is a poet, caregiver, and Dad to his son Bray Bray. Chris' poem The Believer won the 2025 BREW Poetry Project Community Poem of the Year, and his poem The Hours was published in FLARE Magazine, Issue 4. Connect with Chris on Substack — https://chrisbwrites.substack.com 

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