40 Lines of Commitment

Often time I am stopped,

in grocery stores, or liquor stores,

& once in a toy store,

about the length

of my hair.

Comments usually cordial,

supportive

Not once

were they negative.

Not once.

Mostly they are curious:

it is never about

personal growth, or

choices, or perceptions,

or loss, or

knowledge of self.

It stops @

“how long are they,”

&

“how long you been growing them.”

Disappointing.

Refreshing

would not adequately describe

the emotion I’d feel

if a conversation ensued about:

being rooted, or

belief, or extension of belief

or

Africa, the African diaspora,

or life’s journey, or progressive thought &

perceptions, or commitment

I would not oppose

a debate on

the use of

“dreds” or “dred-locks”,

VS.

“locks”