What you starin’ at?! 

I see you – 

Gawkin’ at me. 

And my hair. 

5 One eye narrow and slim. 

 

Reminds me of the bottom of an empty Capri Sun juice pouch. 

Man, do I miss those. 

That barely chilled, 

Silver colored,  

10 Lemonade tastin’,  

Flimsy straw having ass  

Juice pouch.  

On a hot summer’s day. 

Yeah, that was the good stuff right there.  

 

15 Mane. 

Why when I look over, 

Yo other eye is bulging out like you done seen something you ain’t suppose to? 

Like you done seen yo grandmammy naked or something? 

You alright man? 

20 You straight? 

 

Oh. 

No, wait. 

I get it. I know why.  

Me and my hair intrigues you, huh? 

25 Well why you ain’t just say that, boo? 

HA! 

Nah, now I’m just kidding. I know why you ain’t say nothin’. 

 

Well now chile, 

Let me give you a lil insight about it. 

30 If you want that is. 

Do you want? 

Well, I guess you do. 

Cause you still reading – 

Ain’t you? 

 

35 HA! 

 

My hair,  

Our hair,  

Shrinks when wet.  

Like pinecones driftin’ near the Oregon coast. 

40 Like one of those lil slinky toys for kids – 

That one from Toy Story, was my favorite.  

 

But when it ain’t wet, 

Chile. 

There is an endless number of styles we can wear it in. 

45 Or, no style at all. 

To wear or not to wear? 

I ask myself that question every mornin’ when I look in the mirror. 

But, 

It really only takes me a matter of seconds 

50 Before I’m runnin’ and jumpin’ for that 

Brush and curl cream, honey.  

 

So, 

I could ask you again. 

But I won’t. 

55 Cause I know what you starin’ at. 

Me. 

And my hair.  

Cause a Black woman’s hair 

Was meant and designed to be stared at 

60 In amazement and wonder. 

I know chile –  

It intrigues me too.