A Pretend Hair Salon
little dry hands
in your grandfather’s
hair as he pretends to
enjoy the tugging and
pulling, he hasn’t been the
same since last spring –
he enjoys your company
your pretend hair salon
experience, you use products
that expired last year, he
doesn’t mind; then you section out
a part, divide it three ways, and braid
and braid until you see his smile, in the
reflection his eyes light and crinkled-
there’s a pretend hair salon
somewhere on this side of the sun,
he whispers, late into your dreams,
we shall meet there again
in the summer.
Sunehar Aneja is a student studying English Literature and Creative Writing. She writes to explore human connections and healing through her poetry. With a love for weaving narratives and drawing inspiration from the world around her, Sunehar’s work reflects her deep passion for storytelling and creativity.