Curl Cream

I have been told

To put curl cream in my hair

Upside down, eyes 

Straining against the ceiling light,

Curls straining toward the tile floor,

Bunching.

I will smell

Of avocado and coconut for hours;

My hair will be tight

All day.

I wonder what would happen

If my hair always looked salt-stung,

Rollicking waves down my shoulder, unfixed,

Breathing.

I wonder how I'd look

If I'd never been taught to watch myself dripping

In the bathroom mirror and fix the loose ends, smooth

Over ragged strands and smile.

I have been told

To put curl cream in my hair.

star

NH

15 years old

More by star

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    we sat and imagined fireflies

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    as the sun disappeared into muggy,

    illicit sludge. we realized we both liked

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  • The sun

    you're not

    leaving yet. no,

    i'll glue your limbs to the pavement,

    lower your waving hand,

    tell you

    something to make your eyes crinkle

    again.

    again,

    again,

    again.

  • Dress

    I'm wearing the same dress I wore last year, on an evening that felt like moonlight even though the sky was still a milky purple-blue by the time we left, arms linked, laughter spilling over each other and turning the air fragrant, because back th