Again…

Years ago, I said I had enough,
never would I do it again.

You said, “I hurt you,”
and recoiled from my touch.

It didn’t take long to decide to stop.
Several months of seeing you look ragged & unkempt.

I didn’t know what I was doing,
I told you that.

I felt strong in my refusal.
For years, my decision held fast.
I did not budge or change my mind.

Still, I haven’t learned.
But, when you asked,
I caved.

“Sure,” I said.
“I can do it.”

“You have to tell me if I hurt you,”
I said. “It’ll be okay,” you told me.

Soon, the kitchen floor showed my handiwork.
Feeling around, you said, “I think it’s good.”

“You better go check,” I pleaded.
“Just to make sure.”

“A little more,” you asked when you returned.
“Here, where my hand is,” you said.

I took more time to do as you asked.
I stayed calm and patient.  Careful not to hurt, as I went on.

No longer was I afraid.
The hair cut was done.

It was okay.

 

It is Poetry Friday! This week’s round-up is hosted by Jama’s Alphabet Soup. Thank you for hosting!

15 responses to “Poetry Friday: The Pandemic Made me Do It (Again)”

  1. jama Avatar

    Oh, those perilous home haircuts! You describe what many are facing now. I like how you created suspense throughout, and then the relief at the end.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. theapplesinmyorchard Avatar

      Thank you for stopping by and for your comments! Yes, I tried to create a sense for the reader that I could be talking about other things.

      Like

  2. janicescully Avatar

    Yes, you fooled me. What a surprise at the end. Thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. theapplesinmyorchard Avatar

      Ha! Glad to hear! I was trying to be coy and not so obvious about the subject.

      Like

  3. macrush53 Avatar

    Yes, yes, yes. What a twist. How fun.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. alwriting Avatar
    alwriting

    As I sit here, feeling more like a woolly mammoth with the passing of each day while harbouring a genuine concern about going out to get a haircut, along comes your poem Carol, to prompt my thinking. I enjoyed how you returned, be it with reticence, to the scene of an earlier time and negotiated the follow up haircut. Well done on the writing and the success of the clip.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. theapplesinmyorchard Avatar

      Thanks so much! My son – not the one who was referred to in the poem – but another – is champing at the bit to get a haircut tomorrow – today the wait was 3 hours. He’s hoping it will be less. Are your still a wooly mammoth?

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  5. maryleehahn Avatar
    maryleehahn

    HA! You had me worried at first…
    Hubby managed to outlast the closures and avoid my home haircut. He has one of the first appointments…today!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. theapplesinmyorchard Avatar

      Good! I did cut 2 of my 3 sons’ hair, but not my husbands – he does his own. The shops opened here on Wednesday. Hair cuts done yesterday. Mine turn is next week. And, I cannot wait!

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  6. lindabaie Avatar
    lindabaie

    At first I thought it was a project to do with the floor, but love that ending. I’m glad it all worked for you, as did the poem showing those ups & downs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. theapplesinmyorchard Avatar

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Like

  7. Laura Purdie Salas Avatar

    Haha! I caught on fairly early, maybe because our daughter has been giving my husband haircuts during shelter at home. Just did the second one. Love the serious tone you use at the beginning!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. theapplesinmyorchard Avatar

      Thanks! It was hard to see whether I would be fooling people or not. But, it was enjoyable to write!

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  8. […] is Poetry Friday! Our host for this week is the author of Jama’s Alphabet Soup, Jama Rattigan. Please check out her page for lots of great poems, illustrations, and great looking […]

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