I was born with a full head of hair

and I have worn it long

always

at 49 and 11/12ths years old

my hair is exactly the same

as when I was 4 and 11/12ths years old

long

straggly

splittish ends

brushed only in the morning

a day’s worth of adventures captured in my hair

at 4 or 49 my hair looks best braided

two braids

nothing fancy, no French braids or fishtail braids

two braids, one on the left and one on the right, three strands each

you can sleep in them and wake up the next day

and do nothing to your hair

but go out for new adventures

at 4 I added ribbons of all the colors

at 49 I add a bandanna of all the colors

but since the day I was born

I have waited

and wanted

and wished

for my hair to turn gray

not above my ears like it is now

but the full full head of gray hair that others want to wash out

I’m ready to wash in

was born ready

to begin

my moonlight soliloquy