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The Chair




The Chair

Today my mom said,
"Let's cut your hair!"
I looked at her from
beneath my shaggy mop
and decreed quietly,
"I'm outta here."

No luck I'm afraid for
she dragged me by my
ratty, red t-shirt to
THE CHAIR.
"This is so not fair,"
I mumbled miserably.

On goes the old, stained
sheet, which has seen one
too many cuttings. It will
resemble a ghost costume
by the time she's done.

"Chin up, keep your head
straight," she quips light-
heartedly, "let's not
procrastinate."

She just doesn't understand
my dilemma, I quietly
fume, as she came back
into the room with those
glinting sheers in hand.

Snip, snip, say the silver
knives as they rid my
follicles of (I was sure)
more than split ends. I
dread the thought of a new
picture; to family members
she will surely send.

Grumpy and growly I
fold my arms across my
chest, slouch in THE
CHAIR with the worst
scowl; my best.

"What's the matter sour
face?" she chirped too
happily. Continuing to
edit and revise the shape
and style. "I don't like
when you cut my hair,"
I replied emphatically.

She squished my cheeks
and tweaked my nose as
if that made the ordeal
better. "It's too long
for our family photo you
know."

She removed the ancient
cloth. My sign the damage
was done. I was afraid to
look down and see all the
hair that had gone.

Peering through my
slightly shorter bangs,
I noticed hardly any hair
on the tile floor.
I looked to Mom, her
arms folded, a smile
on her face as I realized
I didn't hate when she
cut my hair anymore.

Squeezing her tight in
an embrace, I relished
this moment before
attempting to save face.
Afterall, I am a boy
like any other. It's not
cool to hug my mother.
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Comments

Bonnie K said…
Squeezing her tight in
an embrace, I relished
this moment before
attempting to save face.
Afterall, I am a boy
like any other. It's not
cool to hug my mother.

You caught me. I was sure this was you!
BOnnie
23/3/11 7:11 PM
Tam said…
I read your poem because of the simple title. I loved your poem. I was surprised that it was a girl. I loved the silver knives that say, "Snip, Snip" and the hug at the end!
23/3/11 8:17 PM
Kari said…
I love this, Heather...I love the emphasis on the chair, the imagery and the ride of emotions you take me on. I wasn't expecting the ending at all! I thought it would end with despise! And, I think you chose the perfect format for telling this small moment and incorporating dialogue brought the characters to life. Love it!
23/3/11 10:10 PM
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