Hairpiece Crown

inspired by a Sistah on the SEPTA 109
by Shayna SheNess Israel


parts—hair pierced
pieced
peezy
protein-gelled, permed braids
greasy

purchased hair
hangs high noon-ed
above Nyah’s neck
pinned in hairpiece
pon deh back
a pulled plastic rounded—a stringy, slick, curled, high ponytail

its studded, stony, stuck clip
cradles converging cornrows
curving towards a centerpiece
a bulging bun tilting upwards
a tiara top
tapioca-colored—1b & 33

accenting a
falcon-ed face—pointed, bulb-ed, bulged
lips lined & painted a pumping purple
skin—sandy shaded
chiseled cheek bones
oversized shades
skinny eyebrows—penciled & plucked

a 70’s Sistah


(C) Copyright 2009