Ode to Hair

 

Goodbye, my life long companion,

My all-too-familiar hair;

My poor head is chilly and fuzzy

But now I have shampoo to spare! 

My world doesn’t revolve around you . . .

You're not on my mind today.

To this new style I've taken a liking;

My cool hats just may have to stay. 

Ha!  Now you no longer control me;

I don't have to care how you look.

Instead of primp time in the bathroom,

I have more time for reading my book.  

Goodbye to the curlers and products,

The brushes and hairpins galore;

Hello classy hats and bandanas

Now, that's why I visit the store!

This day I stand as a witness

Of a tid-bit you ought to know;

Had I known bald was so convenient,

I’d have shaved you off long ago!

 

Author's Comment: This poem is dedicated to my friend Jacque who survived breast cancer and a horrendous round of chemotherapy. She’s an amazing woman who has blessed the lives of many people…including me. I am forever grateful.

When she lost her hair, I wanted to lighten the experience with a good laugh, so I decided a poem -- a silly, tickle your funny bone kind of poem -- was in order. I hoped laughing about it would make it less awkward and a little more bearable for her.  After I wrote “Ode To Hair” I couldn’t wait for her to hear it. I hoped she would find it as humorous as I did. When I finally did read it to her, hearing her laugh made my heart sing! It seemed as though we hadn’t done much laughing in the weeks leading up to that moment and it was absolutely the best! 

When I finished and looked up to see her sobbing, I felt badly for making her cry, but the spirit assured me it was ok; I had provided a safe opportunity for her to finally let loose. I was filled with such compassion and silently expressed my gratitude to Heavenly Father for blessing me with peace and comfort, and the necessary strength to share it with her. I felt in that moment, how completely connected our spirits had been long before we ever came here. It was truly one of God’s “tender mercies”.