8 Months and Counting

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A free verse poem

Locs wash & interlocking day, ©2023 August 19. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

From the beginning, I’ve been happy about 
the choice I made to loc my hair, and I still am.

The journey is an interesting one, 
and I am learning more about 
myself and my hair with each passing day.

The beauty of going natural is 
watching various changes with the roots 
of my head and the blooming of my hair itself; 
it’s a wonder to witness.

How can something typically seen 
as dead be so alive?
As my cousin interlocked my hair and 
found difficult locs with which to fight, 
I smiled recognizing not only am I stubborn, 
but my hair is, too.

4 hours and 35 minutes later, I walked away 
with a clean head and a new style.

I cannot believe December of last year was
 the start of something special — 
the start of a new me — a changing me.

8 months later, the growth is on track 
with how I envisioned it would 
be around this time of year.

I am still eager to see what my hair will do, 
yet I am patient, too.
A blessed head knows its place 
and remains there.
I know myself more since I am following 
a path that allowed me to shift 
my life slightly — progress is our lane.

And the paths to the destination 
set for me are purposed for my excellence.
I am healing in a way that words 
cannot accurately describe.

And it all started with a
single strand of hair.

Originally published in A Cornered Gurl via Medium.

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