Love Poem: Hair of Red
Ann Gilmour Avatar
Written by: Ann Gilmour

Hair of Red

Born in 1947 
a delicate post war child
So shy was she
and nervous too
a flimsy fragile flower
who when her mother took her out
     began to scream
     began to shout

Her hair drew great attention
from old dears far and wide
titian with a hint of auburn 
shiny and sumptuous
speckled with gold
so shy she abhorred it
old ladies adored it
as they stopped in the street
to Mother would speak
as they oohed
as they aahed 
as they stroked 
as they patted
     ignoring the child underneath

She hated her hair
for the colour it was
and the hoards of old dears 
with their oohing 
and aahing 
their stroking 
and patting

She wanted to run
she wanted some fun
so she hatched up a plan
and with scissors in hand
she cut 
she snipped 
she hacked 
     until finally her hair 
     was no longer there

When Mother discovered
the damage she’d done
she screamed 
and she shrieked
an attack of the vapors
sent her spiraling down
as she fell to her feet
For her beautiful girl
with her auburn hair
     was now bald
     not a single hair
     was there

The child was delighted 
no more oohing 
nor aahing
no more patting 
nor stroking

Over the years 
her hair grew back
the shy fragile flower 
she blossomed
Learning to love her auburn locks
they found her a perfect lover
This gorgeous man ~ there was no other
was rather partial to hair of red
     his oohing 
          and aahing 
               his patting 
                    and stroking 
she really loved 
      and for 41 years they were wed 
            he was rather partial to hair of red...
          

Written 8th July 2019

I am that titian/auburn haired child…

Contest: Childhood Memories
Sponsor:Chantelle Anne Cooke
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Contest: You and yours
Sponsor:Brian Strand
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