Q4 PORTFOLIO Honors Literary Magazine | Page 17

MY HAIR

I chew my hair when I’m nervous, sad or scared.

I bite it when I’m frightened.

And when my parents get mad at me for not eating my food I yank it.

When nauseous or in pain, I wipe my tears with it.

When I’m happy, and feel like the world's at my feet, it's yellow and tied up in tails,

Then when depressed or just sad for no reason at all, it’s long and it’s dark, it’s gloomy and blue.

I always make sure my hair fits my mood.

I bite it and flaunt it

and tie it in ribbons and clips,

I yank it, I dye it and cut it when bored.

And when I’m angry,

So angry I’m screaming

And thrashing in my bed

And pulling on my cord

I grab my hair

With both my hands

And throw it at the nurses

And when I’m sedated, angry and sick

I wear no hair at all.

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