Hair

Hair

 I sit beneath the shower

Letting the warm water do most of the work

My arms tremble with the effort

Of lathering shampoo into my hair

The strain leaves me breathless

And I rest a while before I try to stand

My daughter worries when I’m sick

Even though she’s used to it

Her face is pure concern

I hate that she worries about me

My hair is clean 

For the first time

In well over a week

For the first time ever

My daughter dries it for me

For the first time ever

I can’t do it myself

All my energy spent on the washing

She’s gentle

Much more than I have ever been with her

She apologises 

She doesn’t know how 

To style it like I normally do

And carefully teases the knots out

Once it’s dry she sits on my bed with me

Holds my hand in silence

Holds my heart in love