To the past me, who sees vitality in the dense foliage of her hair.

To the present me, who mourns the passage of time, and with it, the slight thinning of her forest. 

To the future me, who becomes excited at the prospect of exploring new greeneries. 

---------

Like black ink, 

dripping, sliding smoothly down paper 

Or as a hurricane, 

unruly, unpredictable, untamable

In many forms, unflinchingly, you continue to grace me with your presence

You are at times a foe

Mostly, a friend 

And though I may envy the easy camaraderie others may share

It is ours, the relationship I’ll forever cherish

For you are at the very essence of me, 

The blinding crown I don with pride on my strong days

The shrouding darkness I use to hide in on my weaker ones 

Neither need for justification, nor explanation

For we know each other too well 

It is this with you: 

You are strong

Taking the Egyptian heat in stride 

With nary a complaint 

For my sake and protection

You are weak

Against the vicious onslaughts 

Of howling wind and humidity

You are soft 

Very much as can be 

A depiction in its purest form of the wings of an angel 

Flanking the sides of my face

With armor as tender and sensitive as a pillow

You are frustrating 

To no end 

A battleground for 

Our many fights as I attempt to comb through you 

Your length, too, 

The source of both my irritation and joy

And it is then,

In those happy times I have with you 

That you are also my warrior 

My weapon 

Against those who speak ill

In those unhappy times they have with me 

Fuming 

Tentacled 

Poised and at the ready

And with the flick of a wrist

Near somebody’s face, 

You attack

Never

Will I willingly part with you

“Cut it.”

No.

“It’s too long.”

Nonsense. No such thing as that. 

“Chop it off. It’ll grow back even longer.” - 

...well, yes, that might be true

But the time until then

Would stretch longer than seasons 

And so why would I? When I can cherish you like this and keep us forever in the merriment of spring? 

I recognize 

You are not everlasting 

Your vitality will fade 

But your memory will remain, 

Memory of youth and strength

Memory of love and care 

Memory of my crown

Memory of my precious hair