all us kids had to do it eh
a lot of us cried
all huddled together like sheep
bleating and pushing
trying to melt into each other
more scared then we’ve ever been
one by one
we’re peeled off
taken into a little room
us left behind catch
the glint of a sharp edge
hear the crying
before the door closes
some never had it done
their long perfect braids
a measure
of their seasons
an umbilical cord to mama
earth and a map back home
cut away
just like sheep
they go in fat and fluffy
came out bald as babies
except all skinny and sick looking
the boys got buzzed bald
the girls those awful bowl cuts
when it’s my turn
I climb onto the cold grey chair
look up at the nun
my eyes blinking terror
she says something at me
it sounds like an angry crow
holds long scissors like a claw
the silver smiles malice at me
the crow-nun reaches and I flinch
only to be caught by her other hand
smashes my head so hard
blood blooms a berry patch
on the clean white wall
I don’t move after that
not for a long time
I just sit there
staring big eyed
mute like an owl
watch my hair
fall wisps
of something
I used to be
