Could I comb your hair? / Poem by Sihem Cherif

Poem by Sihem Cherif


Could I comb your hair?

Could I comb your hair and smear those ripples?
she asked with the melody of her smile
She wanted to comb my hair
the way she did with her dad.
In her small lap, I put my head.
Trying to listen to that inner word
It is so sad her dad is no longer here
striving to be a bit  of a dad dear
With those innocent fingers, she started to comb
An orphan,  a  niece not the fruit of my womb
Her fingers went as smooth as spring
she kept combing, I was muttering a song
yet to her innocent love, I do succumb
She said I like your hair fresh and long
I answered days of grief dear
Substituting what is weak with what was strong
She took me into a trance, there, I wish I could linger
Tasting the redeeming wonder of a child's finger

@ sihem cherif O1  O8  2022