The Nightly Ritual - Unwrapped

Combing it up

Wrapping it around

Pattin' my head

And tying it down

This is the nightly ritual...

Taking good care to secure it at night

So that in the waking hours my shit will be tight

The glories that are my tresses are found in the nightly ritual...

It is part of us -- the female identity. We see it as beauty, whether it be: a perm, a wig, a weave, dreadlocks or free flowing naps. We embrace it as we embrace ourselves showing proper love by swaddling it in silk or cotton and even stocking caps -- by performing the nightly ritual...

India.Arie empowered us when she shouted "I Am Not My Hair"...Most of us know that there is more to it than our tracks and bobby pins or glue But admit it y'all, you know with the hours we spend getting washed, coiffed and sitting under dryers, the ultimate reward -- is that bangin' 'do!

So it can be disconcerting and down right cruel...When I find that the nature of gravity has broken the rules. Waking up to find my scarf is either on the pillow next to me, in between my sheets or even under my bed…It's in my night’s tossing and turning that it found its way somewhere else besides my head…

The beauty I fawned over in the stylist chair is no longer on tap...As I discovered that it was sometime during my rest I had become completely unwrapped.

-- LHB 2007

Wearing A Mask

I want to shield the world from my face
I want to hide the scars of pain
-- gashes of deep shame
-- scabs of healing sadness
-- and the slashes of disgrace.
Bravery comes in knowing that the pain will NOT be everlasting.
Although there are times when a smile can bring joy
Do you ever wonder what one’s smile may be masking?

-- LHB 2007