Note from Lay: “I love my hair because it’s a reflection of my soul. It’s dense, it’s kinky, it’s soft, it’s textured, it’s difficult, it’s easy and it’s fun. That’s why I love my hair.”
- Tracee Ellis Ross
This poem by Lay is part of The Recess Bell's 'Celebrating Black Creatives' campaign. Tap the photo for more info!
Roots? And More Roots?!
Can you do my hair?
Cause every single hair strand bestowed on my head
Tells a story
All the way down to my ancestors
“Grandma, can you straighten my hair?“
Were the words I uttered
And when I also realized
My Fro isn’t enough to make me feel pretty
My Fro was surely pressed about my statement
But who cares
I'm depressed
So, Let my hair look like the women in the Press
I want to mirror that woman on the front page magazine
In the exquisite red dress
How pretty!
So Press every single hair strand until perfection
With a gold polished charred Hot Comb
And its Collaborator?
Why, Ms.Blue Magic Of course!
Indeed, my hair is now presentable
Might I even say admirable
But why is it only fugacious?
Why can't my hair be straight permanently?
My roots can't be refrained
“Can I touch your hair?”
Hell no.
I appreciate the compliment, though
but let’s be real
I don’t need your filthy hands
Nowhere near me
Especially at the top of my head
Who in their right mind
Would dare touch a King or Queen’s crown?
I am not your experiment on display
Nor am I your pet
I am art
The whole world deserves to see me
And hear my story
From my very lips
And my understanding
Saartjie
My Fro
My cornrows
My locs
My braids
My wash-n-go
My waves
My fade
My Bantu Knots
My Edges
My coils
My creativity
My hair and it's longevity
Has encountered all five senses
The pain, sorrow, and trauma
The laughs, joy, and Nirvana
It still makes my strands grow
And with no hesitation
My hair will be in every generation
Comments