bearer

every time i let my hair down
from the prison of its tightly wound bun
let it down the slope of my back
let it down the length of my spine
in its kinky rat-tail glory
i immediately feel so much better
about myself
even in the cloyingly sultry outdoors
the natural sauna of this equatorial island
my spine straightens
my shoulders are thrown back breasts thrust out
there is an arrogant strut
in my steps
a confident sensual swing
in my hips

i understand it now
my hair is more than just
hair

every time i let my hair down
i let unfurl the long pennant
of me
my carriage is tall and proud
my stride jaunty
because i am the bearer of my own
long
long
standard