Rituals

Rituals

Plopping down between mom's legs
First unbraid, then brush, then comb
Pull tug, tug kink, pull tug kink
Pulling the head back, aching neck
Admiring Mom's perfectly painted toes
Reaching up my hand because it hurts
Feeling the sting of the comb on the back of my hand
Relaxing my neck as she re-braids
The mix smell of ultra-sheen and mom
Housecoat for cooking and cleaning
Hands for braiding and un-braiding
Early morning rituals and onto the next head.