A Strange Ritual

 

By Jordan Esry

​

 

Eyes closed, head forced under lukewarm water.

A near stranger controls my range of movement,

which is limited.

The water turns off, then pours back on.

My neck is sore from the unnatural position

it’s being forced into.

Suddenly a cloth covers my soaking wet scalp

and I am led to a mirrored booth.

A jet black cape is placed around my throat,

seemingly growing tighter with each move I make.

Every glance in the mirror provides me

with a more unflattering image of myself.

The stranger behind me holds scissors dangerously close to my face.

She begins to meticulously

and methodically cut off parts of my body.

I watch as they fall to the dirty floor.

“What do you think?” she asks.

I nod nervously, unsure of my emotions.

A blast of heat sears my skull,

and the woman behind me pulls and combs at my hair.

The constricting cape is removed.

I glance in the mirror, and admire

my new haircut.