1. Long & Silky
Momma presses one lock
after another
under the iron
and at once my head feels clean,
almost like a baptism.
Fabulous!
Momma told me
with a smile, her hair
as long & silky
as mine.
I want to admire my new style
now long as silk,
refined not rugged,
but somehow my head,
and that smile,
feels heavy.
2. Boyish
The boys tell me I
look boyish
so I do my hair up
with some white ribbons.
Striking,
they said
those white bows
against that black skin.
I’m older now,
but still
I don’t know what
they meant.
3. Sensible
Sensible, this word,
has always bothered me.
The first words from my new boss:
Look sensible, look classy.
And so I spend all night,
twirling my hair in some fancy updo.
An offhand comment from my ex:
Not sensible enough, too wild.
So carefully, with one comb in hand,
I stretch any curl,
comb any kink.
I wonder now,
if I look sensible enough,
if I’ve tamed my wild hair enough,
for them to be satisfied.
4. Daring
It almost seems as if my hair
is a dandelion
in the wind,
each strand everywhere out of place,
seeds plentiful in every lock.
Can my green thumb
grow my black hair?
Can it
make flowers bloom in the winter time,
build a forest of trees in the sea,
house a family in its naps?
Nothing but my echo sings
in response.
