The Girls Hair Suite

The Girls Hair Suite

Movement One

I have her hair in my hands,

thick and soft as it winds through

my fingers

twisting in this pattern

that I have done thousands of times.

I did the math,

it must be 4,000 times at least.

I could do it in my sleep,

i’m pretty sure I have.

If I died of dementia

the thing I wouldn’t forget would be this.

Movement Two

I have her hair in my hands.

Long, blonde, thin,

running slippery in my fingers.

It’s a complicated dance.

Her baby fine hair,

after all these years

still so rebellious

never wanting to stay.

Tiny wisps escape my grasp.

I am endlessly tucking them in.

I need light to braid this hair.

She chatters on my lap.

I have done this thousands of times,

At least 3,000.

Movement Three

In the dark morning

before regattas

I have braided this hair.

Before airplanes and coaches,

busses, car rides

and trains.

Lunch time when it’s fallen out.

Late afternoon before a party

or a dance,

or beside the pool.

In the evening before dinner out

after a carefree day

of unbrushed hair.

At night after a bath

before sleep can tangle it

into endless knots and snarls.

In the middle of the night

to keep it back from a sick childs face.

Movement Four

Left long and sleek

and brushed to shine

for parties.

Braided in reverse

in the long rope that stays dry

in a sailboat.

Braided flat to fit under a

ski or bike helmet.

Double braids keep it tight

during a gymnastics meet.

Pony tails to fight off snarls

when swimming.

Braided crowns for

christmas parties.

Tidy bun to hide the banned kool aid red

during school.

Tiny binders galore to create

the bridal veil style

you wanted to audition in.

Braided into a heart for Eric's wedding.

Twisted so grown up for orchestra concerts.

Pigtails for kindergarten,

tiny veil for first communion,

tumbling curls for prom,

and graduation.

Movement Five

Your hair smells of

soap,

of peaches,

of leave in conditioner,

hair spray,

dye,

warm sunshine,

sharp snow,

chlorine,

chalk,

sweat,

basil,

cinnamon.

Movement Six

Someday I would like to

do your hair for your

proms,

graduations,

weddings.

Movement Seven

Someday I would like to

braid your children's

hair.