Wild Rose

By Daniel Crocker

My daughter's hair

grows wild, like mine;

it twists into dark curls,

spirals up like ivy,

stands tall like weeds,

or puffs like a great fish.

My wife (whose hair

is straight)

tries to calm it

with water and the deft

strokes of a brush;

she is gentle and persistent;

she may even hum a deep melody

as she combs.

But it is hair

that won't be stayed;

water only enrages it

to slippery tangles

and ties do not

hold it long.