“I put myself in your hands, Flora. I have TOTAL trust in your ability to SHEAR away the weight of my hair and leave me looking gorgeous.” Flora cocked her head to one side, eyeing my mass of hair. “Thanks for the cup o’ joe,” she said appreciatively. “Ha, I figured it had been so long since I had been in that it wouldn’t hurt to bring a peace offering. And a couple of JAVAS seemed about right.” Flora smirked in response. But she is good at what she does and takes her work seriously. We’ve known each other for years, and she had been my hairdresser, for much of that time and like family for all of it. I watched her, her hands expertly moving through my long hair. She put me in mind of a jeweler, on the way to making a new piece of art, starting to ASSAY the precious metals and gems before them. I tried not to show how impatient I was. I tried not to reveal how much was riding on this moment.  If I was going to get away from – well, you know – I was going to need to walk out of here looking significantly different.  Flora loved me like a sister, but she was a straight arrow, and she  didn’t approve of my life. I still hadn’t figured out how to navigate this with her. 

Georg’ann

Finally prone, mattress rising up
to meet, hold my tired body. 
Both secure and yielding. 
Dream ship to take me far away. 
CRAVE this place of solitude. 
DAILY interactions plentiful. 
No AGONY if kept in balance. 
Tracy says she has vision
of me standing in a canoe.
I think now more row boat
moving through dreamy mist.
Feet planted wide, lantern in hand.
Outside evening insects 
begin to sing their lullabies. 
Let sleep come without knowing 
how to make use of ASSAY. 

Heather