A Note To Donnie, The Barber

Yo Donnie wassup??

I know I said I wanted dreadlocks

this time

(last time)

and I still do.

I want’em tight & neat

crowning the top

of my nappy head with frizzes at the ends,

and I want’em growing down my back

like Bob Marley’s, but this time

I can’t do it; I gotta establish

myself AGAIN

as an intelligent educated black man

for an upcoming interview,

and I can’t give them any extra excuses

to prejudge me that they will already use,

despite my being more than qualified for the position.

so, cut it shorter this time, man.

Yo, Donnie, cut it real short and even,

but don’t cut any of the soul away. 

Alieux Casey-George   , 1999