The Parting of the Black Sea (Poem)

THE PARTING OF THE BLACK SEA

By Farah Lawal Harris

As my hair thins out and balds

and continues to fall,

I’m reminded

that my hair always changes

when my life does:

a terrible breakup,

falling in love,

becoming pregnant,

healing from trauma,

a diagnosis of breast cancer,

and this time,

chemotherapy.

Every time all hair leaves this head,

I gain immeasurably.

I gained:

a degree in Theatre Performance,

an amazing husband and life partner,

a son with the most beautiful soul I’ve ever seen,

the reclaiming of my body,

and now, I’m gaining—

As my hair slowly balds

and continues to fall,

I am reminded of my power:

my ability to alchemize pain into pearls

and wear them proudly,

my ability to grasp my future in my own hands

and take it where it feels right for me.

I am reminded of my mother

who taught me how to co-ordinate

suffering and beauty in a way

that defies logic.

I am because she does.

I peered at my hairline in my latest selfie.

Ain’t no baby hair no more,

less grown woman hair,

but full grown woman here,

sailing on the Black Sea as it parts,

as my hairline recedes further away

from the shore.

And I smile because

there’s no place I’d rather visit

than the beach.

I continue to gain immeasurably.