I wanted to write down this memory, and this is the form in which it came out. When I write about my mother, I tend to write about the loss of her (I have a lot to say on the subject). This is about something she gave me –something good, I think – but something nuanced and complicated, as things between mothers and daughters cannot help but be.
No More Tears
When I was maybe 8 or 9
I sat crosslegged on the gymnasium floor
all the school attending I don’t recall what
a row of teachers just behind me
and one of them paid a compliment
to the smooth, sun-burnished hair
that hung down my back
“Look how it shines!” she envied, and
the other women clucked in agreement
I turned, smiled and said thank you
surprised to be singled out,
told that any part of me was lovely to behold
And ever since then, I have known
I have known that my hair is beautiful
Just this morning, I remembered:
Every morning before elementary school
my mother sat behind me
and she brushed my knotted, wavy hair
She sprayed it with No More Tears
She smoothed it with V05
As I whined, longing to break free
What a lovely memory! I still have a few Easter photos, when my Mother would sew new dresses for the 3 sisters, & a new tie for my brother. We smiled, but we all thought we'd rather be in play clothes!
I also recall the Saturday line up in the basement, when we girls all got a perm. Daddy would come in from outdoors holding his nose & laughing. Sunday morning the 2 older sisters would be very upset - refusing to leave the house looking like "this"!
Posted by: Phyllis | 05/11/2020 at 09:29 PM