I needed a haircut bad, "Why not?" said I,
we'll do it right there
somewhat in the same spirit
as when I took the fattest girl in school
to the prom to show my disdain
for what was cool;
I would go someplace unexpected
and say, "Look at me,
I'm here."
My six foot four frame was white
from head to toe,
an interruption in the flow
of sound
the certainty of bond;
but I was subject to the manner of the style--
the razor line would be the same.
My hair fell on the floor
atop soft tiny clumps of curls, looking coarse and intrusive.
I had a scissor cut
tight across the scalp,
round to fit the mood
that I said I felt,
and I could tell that all were thinking
something of the same:
"This man now looks like he begins with us."
I would study my image in the mirror at home
and wonder what they meant.
Author notes
Set in Louisiana in 1963, when racial lines were based on "keeping one's place." This is a true story
Author notes
Comments
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An indelible first impression
The comment suggestion when I first finished this piece was: "What was your first impression?". I hesitated to answer with my true first impression, then I decided as writers, first impressions do benefit. That being said, my first impression is Naked. There is a naked quality to this piece. First the image of your naked body, since you specified it was white all over, the mental image checked. Second, the naked truth of taking a risk when it wasn't necessary. Third, the naked straightforwardness of the poem itself. With all this nakedness, it is no surprise that your hair ended up on the floor. The fact that you survived to write this piece is a testament to a reason for writing it---an example that underneath our nakedness, we are all human---vulnerability and all.
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You caught the mood exactly. I thought long and hard about entering this poem: It was dated in a highly different time and cultural situation; it ran the risk of sounding critical of getting a black haircut; it was, as you say, barren of the rich spirit and feel of a black barber shop. "Naked," is the correct word. I definitely felt naked; and I think they did, as well. I never had had my hair trimmed by a straight edge razor. To have that done by a black barber in a room filled with black people: I tell you, that was a quiet moment.
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i can relate to this:
I would go someplace unexpected
and say, "Look at me,
I'm here."
this is a great story.
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Powerful Imagery!!
Thank you for sharing, I'm wishing you all the best!! 
Peace & Hugs,
xx Cyn xx
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