When she can’t make her standing appointment, Marsha Chambers (left) expresses her regrets to nail tech Susan Higgins in verse.

When she can’t make her standing appointment, Marsha Chambers (left) expresses her regrets to nail tech Susan Higgins in verse.

After many years together, nail tech Susan Higgins and her client Marsha Chambers have developed a system. “Marsha has a standing weekly appointment. We only do her gel-polish every other week, but I reserve her time at the end of the my workday in case she needs a touch up or wants a pedicure,” says Higgins, the owner of Susan Higgins Designs in Little Rock, Ark. “If she doesn’t need to come in on that off week, she sends me an email in the form of a poem.”

Chambers works in a high-profile law firm and needs to maintain a professional appearance. “We came up with the idea of the ‘touch-up week.’ That way if she needs a chip or a snag fixed, she can just pop in on the way home,” says Higgins. “Sometimes Marsha will fill that slot with a pedicure instead, but usually, if she’s in good shape, I’ll just head on home. I work 10- to 12-hour days, so getting off early is always a treat.”

Higgins was kind enough to share a few favorite poems:

My nails did great while on the trip
Not a snag, a tear, or even a chip
So tonight I will not be by to see you
The girls, Ms. Tess, or Little Pig too
Loving the deep red tint you gave me
Will I change this color? — We’ll just have to see


Alas I find I cannot come
I forgot a date — I am so dumb
I’ll see you Wednesday of next week
We’ll catch up then and I will seek
Your forgiveness at my miscue
I am a blonde, what can I do?


Last week my nails got Brisa Lite
Today they are still smooth, shiny, and bright
They have no divots, chips, or nicks
Even though office filing gives them lots of licks
So again this week you won’t see me
I’ll be out and about happy and carefree
Because you are an awesome nail person!

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