Motherrr.com recently did a poll asking daughters what they feel their mothers criticize about them the most. The result was their appearance…especially their hair!
We are delighted to share award-winning poet Marlou Newkirk’s thoughtful poem.
Mothers and Daughters…and Hair
Fellow Mothers do beware
if with courage you would dare
to comment on your daughter’s hair
even if it looks like a grizzly bear.
She’ll get upset and maybe swear
that you’re controlling and a square
in frustration she may blare,
“You’re such a pain in my derrière.”
She has creative ways it to wear
some of them high up in the air.
Dyed Easter egg colors, people stare
she thinks she positively has flair.
Teased out she thinks its debonair
seems like a lion’s mane in its lair.
Though others do stop and glare
she seems blithely unaware.
Twirls from curling iron causes scare
singed locks a troubling nightmare.
Bad hair day leads to much despair
expensive products to repair.
In frustration wants out to tear,
tell her she can’t get a spare.
To deny advice may not seem fair
but keep in mind it is her hair.
It was something you did share
you and she were quite a pair
when she was little, under your welfare
brushing it lovingly was not rare.
“You are beautiful,” you’d declare!
Detangling knots was quite the affair
to not hurt her, you said a prayer.
Hair ties and ribbons everywhere.
She is grown and you still care
to deny advice may not seem fair
but keep in mind it is her hair.
But, keep in mind it is…her hair.
Copyright © 2022 Marlou Newkirk
Marlou Newkirk is an award-winning writer and poet. Marlou has won several writing awards including one for her magazine article, “From Tension to Tenderness…Healing the Mother/Daughter Relationship.” Early in 2022, her book of poetry “This and That and an Ice Cream Sundae” won a CT Press Club award for Best Book of Poetry. Marlou has a Doctorate from Columbia University in adult education.