This head of hair is a rebel

This head of hair has torn my childhood esteem

This head of hair surrendered to every denial, the ponytails, the braids, the leave-in conditioners

This head of hair loved me when I failed to love it back

This head of hair did it’s trick- silently, patiently, pushing me to accept

Symbol of my mixed race, tales and incessant questions of my ancestry 

This head of hair is real

This head of hair is mine

This head of hair is the lioness that naps in the sun 

That paces when doubt prevails or the spirit is broken

And goes steady when it knows where it's headed