it will be good to see Maltese Tony

my long-standing barber of choice

in his salon reeking of peppermint,

a sharp scissors and guttural voice

 

a noted martyr to his ageing bowels

herbal remedies kept them in check

but Tony's flatulence accompanied

every snip at the hairs of your neck

 

bravo that regular peppermint peep

sweet breath on your greying locks

the therapeutic balm of a hair-cut

for modern life's incessant knocks

 

has Tony seen his last haircut?

it's not the bowels but his chest,

the peppermint salon history, will

his bowels find permanent rest?

 

they gave him a room of his own

after burly matron dropped a hint

not every patient likes the aroma

of second-hand oil of peppermint

 

I just heard Tony's in intensive care

fingers still, they say he might die

it will be a sad parting, for COVID

just trimmed Tony's hair supply