Nappy Roots

your thoughts curl around your hair
you dig into your matted wool
with an afro comb or pick
to reach down into your nappy roots
You brown eyes squint
your shoulders hunch up
move your head
left to right front to back
when that afro comb or pick
catches hold of those little curly naps
behind your ears
at the base of your neck line
tinder head is what you are
go ahead put in that relaxer
it’s going to burn your scalp
the tip of your ears
it’ll straighten those nappy
roots for a short time
it won’t last forever
those tightly tangled nappy roots
are going to grow back
they will be just as hard
to brush down
comb through
or pick out as they were before
you tried to change
what is naturally your roots
your people are going to
roll their eyes
smack their lips
shake their head
when they see
what you’re trying to change
All you need to do
brush it
comb it pick it
braid it
grease your scalp
just live with your roots

3/6/02/jrg Copyright© 2010 by Jeff R. Ghee