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
N/A

Contest: You and yours
Sponsor:Brian Strand
FIRST PLACE
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Marcum Wong Avatar
July 12, 2019 at 2:35 PM
I can relate to this wonderful poem so much as my mother, me and my daughter all share that hair color. My mother had bright auburn hair and my daughter and I have strawberry blonde. There are not that many red heads in this world. I am happy it attracted your mate. Congratulations on your wonderful first placement. : ) xxoo
Gilmour Avatar
July 13, 2019 at 1:10 AM
Oh thank you Connie for your lovely comments. Great to know you and your family are like me, one of a very rare breed, apparently only 2% of the population have red hair and we will never go grey, just a lovely shade of strawberry blonde, haha. So good to hear from you Connie I always appreciate your visits. Kindest thoughts Ann xx
Mcgee Avatar
July 12, 2019 at 10:34 AM
What a lovely story and well written. Congrats on your win
Gilmour Avatar
July 12, 2019 at 10:36 AM
Thank you so much Jeanne for your lovely comments and glad you liked my poem. With kindest thoughts Ann xx
Roper Avatar
July 11, 2019 at 5:19 PM
Wonderful story, Ann, I can see the damage the little girl had done to herself. Congratulations on your win.
Gilmour Avatar
July 11, 2019 at 6:25 PM
Thank you so much Eve for your lovely comments and congrats. It is always so good to hear from you. With kindest thoughts Ann xx
Lamoureux Avatar
July 11, 2019 at 9:22 AM
This is so good, I love how you told your story. I am adding this to my favourites. This has my vote for POTD!
Gilmour Avatar
July 11, 2019 at 6:24 PM
Wow, such wonderful comments Richard thank you! So good to hear you have made it a Fav and that you thought it worthy of POTD - one day maybe... With kindest thoughts Ann xx
Romios Avatar
July 10, 2019 at 10:30 AM
Loved this Ann! From start to finish. A peek into your history. Many thanks, Panagiota
Gilmour Avatar
July 11, 2019 at 6:19 PM
Many thanks Panagiota for your lovely comments, it is always so good to hear from you. Kindest thoughts Ann xx
Trifiatis Avatar
July 10, 2019 at 5:28 AM
Very delightful writing dearest, Ann! Much enjoyed ! ...I wish I had ...some hair myself... any color ! hahaha
Gilmour Avatar
July 11, 2019 at 6:17 PM
Hahaha, thank you so much dear Demetrios for your lovely comments, truly appreciated. With kindest thoughts Ann xx
Andresen Avatar
July 9, 2019 at 1:38 PM
- Red hair is gorgeous Ann, especially the dark variety that is "bronze colored" :) - Many children with red hair are bullied, and has incredibly low self-confidence - No one should feel bad because of a hair color - A great write - Best wishes in the contest :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Gilmour Avatar
July 9, 2019 at 6:45 PM
Thank you so much and so good to see you again Anne-Lise. Glad you liked my poem and thank you for your best wishes too. With kindest thoughts Ann xx
Allison Avatar
July 8, 2019 at 5:47 PM
aww Ann I welled up reading your poem , so glad you came to love your hair colour - i love the colour so much I have it ... but mine is out of a bottle lol:-) hugs jan xx
Gilmour Avatar
July 8, 2019 at 5:54 PM
Oh bless you Jan for your lovely comments. I suppose because I was so shy I hated the attention my hair colour attracted. but of course my darling Frank had a thing for redheads, and as the poem says we were married for 41 years. Thanks again Jan, with kindest thoughts Ann xx my hair is now more of a strawberry blonde...
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