At the Hair Salon in Big Sandy, Texas

By | 31 October 2012

A warm stomach rests
on my arm. Breasts squish
against my shoulder blades.
Fingers fold back my ears,
gently but firmly lift my chin.
The clippers’ power cord
tightens against my neck,
stretches across to the outlet.
Without my glasses, my head
and shoulders in the mirror
are a blonde and black blur.
After spraying a fine mist,
the girl grips her scissors
and drawls –
You ain’t from around here,
is ya? Where y’all from?
– Australia
Neat! Did y’all drive?
– No, it’s a bit far. I had to fly.
You speak English real good.
Did y’all learn it in school?

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