I will not Curl Up and Dye

I will not curl up & dye

No, my straight & silvern strands hang proud.

Though sometimes lank on laundry day.

Something people will often say

“Your not old enough to be this way”

To be young and grey.

My young tongue has been bitten down upon

One too many times to tell you.

How young?

Young enough to be writing this poem

on the notes app in my iPhone.

Young enough to wonder

Will I ever own a home?

In mirrors, on a Good Hair Day

I admire the way

my salt & pepper mane

can frame.

On a Better Hair Day

People can be heard to say,

"How Cool!"

Or even, “Who did that for you”!?

more & more

I witness other young

Letting their #Grombre hair

Grow without censorship.

A nod between us for what we share.

But

My jaw still clenches when I see a photograph

& see more white than I remember.

That #goldenhour light brings silver.

My self care, laid bare is dropping cash

on serums & tonics & supplements & lash

My dewey skin will not betray me

As my follicles have been lately.

Sometimes, I hope my grey crown

will at least filter out the clowns

& leave only kings & queens

unbothered, as I am, by this

vision of premature ageing.

But I will not curl up & dye

if on principle only.

Even if, it can sometimes feel lonely.

To be young and grey.