Her Hair Always Her Hair

by Nina Serrano

Her hair always her hair
Bangs, perms, short, long,
good hair days bad hair days
It always had its own schedule and agenda
like a privileged pet
It was light brown
brown with gray sprinkles
gray with brown streaks
gray then brown
then gray again
till chemo-ed and radiated to death
All artifice and indulgences fell away
A shining pelt grew
strong and soft
just enough to protect
the last years' keeness
navigating the rapids of survival
and eternity

Introduction | On Verna's Passing | Feather | Day of the Dead 1996