Eagle Lakes Park March 6, 2019

album

klip joint

Being away for an extended time

I think what I miss most is my hometown haircuts

Where I go to a local place run by women

Who cut hair for everyone happy to be there.

Yesterday I went to a barbershop here

Where I had seen many cars parked outside

Going in the downtime of a rainy morning

Hoping to get a good trim in short order.

The barbers were all men and the customers, too

Every one an older white man like me

As I saw taking a seat there to wait my turn

Watching to see which barber I would get.

As I listened to the conversations closest to me

I wished I was not there being reminded again

Hearing the familiar male complaints go on and on

The way that some men bond over negativity.

Feeling alienated in this place that caters to men only

With a throwback red stripe spiral sign mounted outside

Though the practice of bloodletting long ago ceased

Still the demographic here looks like reactionary holdouts.

One overweight man getting a buzz cut square top

Loudly faults someone he knows who favors gun regulation

For the simple reason that it hurts his gun sales business

Before moving on to criticize certain drivers.

Another man is telling the story of sitting at a bar

Finding fault with the performance of the bartender

And I don’t want to hear it from the likes of these

Since I don’t do guns and I don’t do bars.

Why is it taking so long to primp their few strands

These men have very little hair just like me

I thought my grooming here would be over already

Instead I resign myself to where I’d rather not be.

By the time my turn comes to take my chances

I’m just glad when the barber says I’m done

Knowing the next time I need my hair cut I’ll be home

Happy to visit the women at the Klip Joint.

Jackie will tell me about her wonderful daughters

And events at the schools where they go

Stories I enjoy hearing while talking parenting with her

And sharing a few things of my own life.

Or Maria will take care of me in her special way

And I will hear news of her two grown sons

As we talk of college marine biology studies and such

She is so proud of them both.

Of course women may have their complaints, too

Sometimes about men, no surprise there

But there’s a different sensibility I find in their salon

That welcomes both men and women and children, too.

I feel good after receiving their attention

Though there’s not much they can do with what’s left

When the top of my head shows male pattern baldness

I could envy the growth their gender retains.

But it’s the community gathering aspect I most like

Enjoying watching a child’s haircut while I wait

Sitting with younger and older people there

Everyone included who lives in our neighborhood.

Largo Nature Preserve March 4, 2019

Taylor Lake March 4, 2019

album