By Kathleen Grieger

I shave Sam’s head
After surgery, we look
The same. Glen says
It looks great,
He’ll do it next time
A safe promise for him

Finding I will need
A second surgery
I tell Glen
I’m looking forward
to seeing him shave

He says I’m mistaken,
He would never be bald
Sam laughs, telling Glen
You did say it
Sam remembers

It becomes a game
between us
Not expecting it,
I ask when he will shave
He answers, never

A week before surgery,
A group of friends around,
He asks me
To get the razor
He is “ready”

My brother sputters
“You don’t mean
It. Tell her you don’t
You can’t want to
She won’t make you”

I shear him
With the appreciation
of love. Sliding his hand
along the now slick
surface. Glen smiles

He says he likes it
He should not
have waited this long
Kissing my hand,
He places it on his head

I stroke it
It is smooth
He likes the feel of it
And I love the way
it has made me feel

©2004, A Change of Mind