rosemary oiled fingers
glide over parted hair
each morning since time
stretched like gum
between my teeth
clenched in this pandemonium. ⠀
each day, the promise
of oil smoothing my hair –
every drop soothing a thirst
unprecedented,
piercing. ⠀
every sunrise since,
i drench my hair in oil
like prayers twisting
into braids
holding me together,
holding me together.
Shadi Eskandani 
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