The After-Haircut Shampoo

I’m afraid to wash my hair,

the spray-on wax, the gel,

the moisturizing cream, the perfect

curls (slightly smashed from sleeping

on them), the bangs that tickle

my eyelashes but don’t obstruct

my vision, the hairstylist’s magic.

Once I wash my hair, my haircut

won’t work anymore; my bangs will

curl up in a flip, all the curls will

frizz, and I’ll look like a doofus.

My daughter will wrinkle her

nose with distaste, oh why do I

have to wash my hair of stylist

magic.