An African Intimacy Ritual
As the sun fades, the ritual untangles.
I tug at the tight curls of his afro
while reaching for the pick.
My fingers glide gently over its fist of freedom.
With tight grips I absorb all of its wisdom
from past to present.
My eyes stare in amazement at his massive afro.
With firm strokes I tame all of the wildness
from beginning to end.
My senses obsess dreamily over his coconut scent.
With deep breaths I remember each session
as if now were then.
As the evening untangles, our conversation stills.
I smooth the fullness of his afro
while tucking the pick away.