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!!!!!!

[Tenten]

one of your best honest fun speaking loud pieces that flows so heavy and hits hard. this one is eyecatching with a heavy beat. "but it's power... i'm accepting of me" my favorite lines. you created mind stilling words a beautiful work. one of your best so far this one is.

[Rain]

Man, if in this day and age someone really cares, they got a serious problem. Don't let it be yours. This is a great piece, but unfortunately it also points out how stuck some people are. Reminds me of Sly and the Family Stone's song. " I wanna thank you, for lettin me.. be myself, again." Let it grow! Rain..

[James K. Blaylock]

Awesome!

[Just Manoosh]

I suffer from the weakest thinnest hair (though plenty of it) ...... damn it, how often have a wanted to swap it. Sometimes its so thin you can see my scalp.

Okay back to the poem, I loved the way you used hair to display life, as in heritage, age, power. Its funny that such a simply thing can show the stresses and strains of the every day.

Well done honey.
Mx

[Diana Owen Busy with Li..]

I am a hair dresser. I run from people with afro.... Great poem.

[Jenny Davis]

Okay! I loved this, Ham...so undeniable and in your face, just like we like it :) My favorite line was:
"It's the middle finger for

the status quo"............................That's just perfect!

Awesome piece, my big haired friend :)

[H. A. M.]

Thanks for the read1! I'm glad (really) that you read this.
yes there are still 'hair' issues where I'm at. Black community or what it happens to be attached to to have good hair. That's hair that looks some what silkier or wavier than the norm. Something different and not just typical.
It's a hang up that still clings to a lot in the community but passed down by parents and social climbers. That's my opinion on it.
Again...
Thank you for reading.
really.

[cjbowenrd]

I was amused as I read your poem at the same time I was asking myself if there really are giant social issues concerning hair. In short it was funny but it also made me think.
You say by the power of my afro I get....... So when you go on to say sometimes loved sometime hated it seems like it would have better flow if it said love and hate (present tense).
Loved your title and really enjoyed reading it.