On a broken woman’s scalp
a froth of white
gloves the fingers scrubbing
pillow-matted hair
combed, parted, cut, frosted
tissue-wrapped ends rolled gently
pink and blue.
Surrounded by potions
clear, cream
rinses and highlighters, protein
replenishers, a bouquet of
silver scissor wands
a judge whose voice can’t shape
her name sits rapt
anticipating,
a waitress taking days
to step one step
knows
here, magic hands conjure
relics of self, and histories
evicted
come home.
Denise Bergman is the author of Seeing Annie Sullivan, poems based on the early life of Helen Keller’s teacher (Cedar Hill Books, 2005), and editor of City River of Voices, an anthology of urban poetry (West End Press). Her poems have been published widely.