I. Don’t. Cut. My. Hair.
-well, except for maybe
a little trim now and then,
but not so’s you’d notice-
It’s been two decades
since I s(h)aved it all
and (s)hoved it all
in that /hateful/ boy’s face
two days before the prom
and (it along with) my sharp-
boned shoulders (s)ticking above
that dress /bluest blue for
truest true/ made me look like
love’s refugee escaped
to the other side of the fence.
Mother took the picture anyway.
After a year of getting
my fuzz petted and patted
(feels better than you’d guess-
it’s how I learned I purred)
I donned again my Samson’s face
-now with breasts, but minus the dress-
and I. Don’t. Cut. My. Hair.
© Sarah Whiteley
Props to my mother, who really did take that picture anyway. It’s a wonder she didn’t drink.
