Summer of 1991

Hot steamy porch settings

During mid summer with kool aid pitchers

I remember the townhouses of 1991

When I learned my success

Me and my peers watched the insertions of false hair all day long

Suddenly I realized the need to overcome the scissors

While grasping the proper insertions of my first bang piece

I would allow my scissors to do the exploring.

My best friend would justify the trimmed look as we took turns understanding the lavish techniques of hairdressing.

This took place in what is known as Detroit, the hair capital of the world.

The more I took part in these crafts

The more the scissors had become my best friend.

The enjoyment and technique of bang cutting advanced front from slanted, china doll bangs to bob cuts and ponytail spiking.

Suddenly I was attached to my best friend's mannequins.

Hair customers at my neighbors house fill the basement. Hair weaving was in demand in these parts of town.

Thread my needles child

Is what my neighbor would say

As she weaved her need back and forth.

After the customers departed I would be washed and blow dried.

On Saturday nights during 1999

My family's house was filled with pump it up for hair spritz and pro style gels.

Isoplus oil sheen and stove curlers awaited.

By 11pm our house was abandoned

Leaving hair smells behind

Upon our arrival at our members only city night club

We would encounter arriving guests with stylish updo's, hair weaves and more.

During the summer of 1999

I would visit the same porch

I once visited in 1991.

This time I would be told my best friend moved into the other circle down the street.

Upon arrival I would be greeted by hair customers waiting patiently.

On the wall a cosmetologist license could be viewed in a frame.

Separation of hair weaves laid on a smoke glass round table.

Hair gels, ace combs, and glue could be seen.

Gossip and R&B music from male artists such as R Kelly filled the room.

The bonding of femininity occured

Talks about love, children and family began.

I wanted to practice on a new mannequin.

When the crowd departed

My best friend sat down in a chair.

I began to insert her bang piece just as I did in 1991.

When I was finished we sat on the porch just as we did when we were younger.

This time blended strawberry marguerites

And a peach ice bowl sat on the table.

We watched the crowds of people fill the grass at 11pm at night.

Stylish hairdos could be seen from afar.

Towards the end of the year in 1999 my cousin offered me a position as a hair model in a hair show.

Hair modeling engaged me even more into the world of hair.

I watch the stylist express his creativity while dying my hair honey blonde.

He moved his scissors in a circular motion

As he freed the sides and back of my hair.

Suddenly the stylist had exposed the thick grade of my hair

He curled my hair with stove curlers that were fit for hair the size of rice.

During the competitions I was intrigued by the hairdresser's creativity.

He beautified men and women with all shapes and sizes.

Beautiful hair weaves, ponytails, updos, and finger waves were exposed.

The night would be filled with a beautiful color theme, of beige, snow white, off white, and gold.

The hair show would be filled with BYOB liquor, wines, and beers.

The stylist would make third place

Battling some of the toughest hair dressers from Chicago and New York.

Once the hair show was finished

I went back to doing my best friend's hair and working on a mannequin.

Though I love practicing, designing, and cutting stylish hairdos

I kept it a hobby instead of a career.

I know one thing is for sure

I will never forget the summer of 1991 when I started to explore hair.