Donating trauma

A woman on social media says she’s anxious. Angry. 

Depressed. Permanently injured by trauma. Has long

hair that’s never been processed by chemicals. It’s pure.

I want to help people. Will cut my crowning glory.

Donate it to cancer patients for wigs.

I’m appalled. All that negativity atop vulnerable people

with compromised immunity. Atop their tapu heads!

The woman has follicles rooted in biographical mire. 

Locks nourished by intergenerational torment. Pain trails 

below her waist. Cocoons her body. Gleams. Festers. 

She creates an online event. Invites us to witness 

her charitable act. 

I feel peaceful. Light-headed. Happy. Love my bob!

The woman’s benevolence is applauded. She’s 

congratulated. Swamped with emojis, encouragement, 

gratitude, thanks.

Of course she feels better. She’s chopped off decades

of toxic thoughts. Donated her pain!

Serie Barford is a performance poet from Auckland, New Zealand. Her poetry collection, Tapa Talk, was published in 2007 to critical acclaim. She has published four other books of poetry.

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