AFRO

It's just a hair thing.

 

AFRO

 

By the power of my afro

I get

looks and words

Respect and dissed

Accepted and rejected.

Sometimes loved.

Sometimes hated.

 

Yet it’s not so much as what grows

on my head but what grows under it.

Okay?

 

My afro

is so righteous.

It won’t lay down for nobody.

 

“Then straiten it out.”

What!?!?

 

Like it’s bad hair.

It was good when it grew out

of my head!

What else is there?

 

An afro like this is meant to be talked about.

On display

Like the ring you can’t afford.

Or a quiet rebellion

for the fades and the business attire

 

Some say

“you got too much hair”

Too much or who?

You?

Not me.

I ain’t got enough don’t you see?

 

It’s good for twisting

And maybe a blowout.

But it’s like a trophy on my head.

See?

That’s what I’m talking about!

 

By it’s power…

I intimidate

those that associate

the length

with hate.

Not so.

 

By it’s power…

I let others know

I’m accepting of me.

It’s the middle finger for

the status quo.

I gotta let it grow!

 

By it’s power…

Ethnicity and heritage

are no longer questioned.

Yet still talked about.

I won’t forget to mention…

 

It’s free thought extending it self.

Reaching out for

More atmosphere.

Parading it self

A slow float for all to see.

I gotta let it grow.

Maybe tomorrow it won’t be there.

 

Right now…

Let me wear

the crown of my youth

and wait for wisdom to show

in shades of gray.

Okay?

 

 

 

Reviews

[Robert Luna]

You're like Sampson get your strength from your doo. I like the passion and strength you wrote this with. The fact that you are not willing to change who you are on the outside or inside to just fit in. I say let it grow as long as you want to it your hair and your personality that you show the world. It is your statement of individuality. I applaud that you are not willing to change yourself to suit others. Shows a damn strong character on your part my brother. We have to be willing to be ourselves because that is all we are meant to be. Great piece and a wonderful read.

Rock On Fro Doo!!!!!!

[TL Boehm]

I love this! Of course I was a child of the 70's when the Afro was common - now it seems to be an endangered species...but I always thought 'fro's were cool. Except for this one chick named Belinda....because there was more Afro than girl....seriously she needed red flags for her hair....you know - wide load? When she didn't have it picked out - she wore this little Bozo the clown flip that stuck out just as far...ok I'm rambling.
I say - wear your hair any way you want. its not attached to anyone but you. And this - is a great poem....

[Brette Medb]

Haha I loved this piece!!!! It was witty and it put people in their place. Great work!


Brette

[Dead Angel]

very passionate poem. people would sometimes ask me if i would ever cut my hair because its so long. it goes all the way past my waist and everyone asks, "how long did it take to grow?", "do you ever get tired of it?" and so on and so forth. this was well written and has very strong words. well done!! :)

[Joseph - Michael]

LMAO! I love the ending, but that's just me. This is really great, it's like reading a hip hop song and it went with the flown just about right.

So, it's all still great, nothing there that need to be adjust or change at all...

[Lena]

Wear that rightful crown Proudly, my King!

[BrightEyes]

oh the days of the afro - where have they gone? without this piece of yours - I might not have noticed how few true afros are sported these days - keep your hair man! I liked the humor interjected throughout this piece - and the references to wisdom and graying - let it grow - be you and never conform.

laura

[Blackbirdsong]

I love the honesty and integrity of this write. I know about the idea of "good hair" and "bad hair" and its one of those self-destructive ways of thinking that has always got on my last good and working nerve, but that idea still persists and you've written quite a well thought and powerful response to any who have a problem with your hair. I say let it grow and be free. :)

[Theta S. T.]

lol!! So much of this is true I remember when I had my first job...yes I sported a fro sort of I wouldn't stand on it's own like my little brothers but that was because of all the chemicals I put in in before it took me a long time to figure out that you couldn't put anything in your hair in order to get the "perfect fro"...lol but most people didn't like the fro it wasn't acceptable at that job they wan't me to sign a waiver that said that I would straighten out my hair so that I would look more like a (normal) girl or as they said it "We need you to look like all of the other lady's here at this establishment" which was not possible because I like to eat...hahaha

anyway again great write I'm going to do the fro thing again and see how my boss here likes it lol

~~Theta

[Crazy Cat Man]

this is a beautiful poem such as beautiful as an afro :D

[Lydia Shutter]

Afros...now there's a blast from the past. They were quite the rage when I was in high school and college. Being the old lady I know am, I am unaware of the trend of today. Indeed, the Afro was feared by some back then too.....as if the style gave the person beneath the hair intimidating powers. I say it is your hair, HAM...do with it as you wish. Those who are your friends will accept you with it and those who do not were not your friends to begin with. Empowering words. Lydia