In This Shop.
Status means nothing
and it falls voluntarily like
the hair to the
ground— least it should
in this shop— the barber shop
where we can share
unrestrained uncontained
thoughts
without being judged
convicted and
tagged confused— in a nation so quick too
i grow here
i realize my place & connect in a
familiar space while shaving my face
of the blue eyes and blond hair
any of my successes could indict me of being.
and in this place—
which celebrates the luxuries
of being what we are
not what happened
to us not how the media
portrays us not the fathers
who fathered us
but what we aspire us to be
and how little things, done subconsciously
like conversation
like connectivity
like consolation
and a haircut— could mean so much.
Mark Anthony Thomas
Copyright © 2004