The first step is                                                 the final wash.

Drench your hair completely in room temperature water.

Using dish soap,               wash your hair as you would on

any other day.       Strip away sulfate and silicone residue.

Feel your roots straining against the lemony foam      like

a bow        drawing       breath.       The dry weightlessness

of a clean slate a few sharp notes away from       breakage.

Let     yourself     be close     to breaking.    Take your curl-

friendly conditioner and apply generous              amounts.

Detangle gently.           Let your fingers    slide       through

as you would with     rainfall        and        beaded   curtain.

Coat each     wrinkle   like   paint    on a misshapen   bowl.

Every      dimple           and           knot         trapping   more

of the sweet nectar.                  Lower                    your  curls

into        your palms       and press          the product         in

with a pulsing motion.                                   Let them drink.

Soak up the balm          until your fists feel more like cups.

This is how you learn     to hold yourself without violence.

To comb and not rake.                            To pull and not tug.

What radical power,                          this movement of care.

This dance.                              The unshakable         strength

of                   softness.          Rinse out 50 percent.  Squeeze

out water and excess product             in an old cotton shirt.

         Air dry.