ALEXIE, Sherman


Good Hair

Hey, Indian boy, why (why!) did you slice off your braids?

Do you grieve their loss? Have you thought twice about your braids?

With that long, black hair, you looked overtly Indian.

If vanity equals vice, then does vice equal braids?

Are you warrior-pretend? Are you horseback-never?

Was your drum-less, drum-less life disguised by your braids?

Hey, Indian boy, why (why!) did you slice off your braids?

You have school-age kids, so did head lice invade your braids?

Were the scissors impulsive or inevitable?

Did you arrive home and say, "Surprise, I cut my braids"?

Do you miss the strange women who loved to touch your hair?

Do you miss being eroticized because of your braids?

Hey, Indian boy, why (why!) did you slice off your braids?

Did you weep or laugh when you said goodbye to your braids?

Did you donate your hair for somebody's chemo wig?

Is there a cancer kid who thrives because of your braids?

Did you, peace chief, give your hair to an orphaned sparrow?

Is there a bald eagle that flies because of your braids?

Hey, Indian boy, why (why!) did you slice off your braids?

Was it worth it? Did you profit? What's the price of braids?

Did you cut your hair after your sister's funeral?

Was it self-flagellation? Did you chastise your braids?

Has your tribe and clan cut-hair-mourned since their creation?

Did you, ceremony-dumb, improvise with your braids?

Hey, Indian boy, why (why!) did you slice off your braids?

Was it a violent act? Did you despise your braids?

Did you cut your hair after booze murdered your father?

When he was buried, did you baptize him with your braids?

Did you weave your hair with your siblings' and mother's hair,

And pray that your father grave-awakes and climbs your braids?