Crowning Glory
She dresses for the party tonight
simply
sweetly
She fusses with her Hello Kitty necklace
dreamily
purposefully
She lingers in a view of
herself
and her crown of glory
Her “all clear” party and
chestnut
hair jewelry
© 2014 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Locks of Love allows people to donate 10” or more of their own hair to help create wigs for low-income girls who have allopecia or are fighting cancer. My favorite donor was a girl in our Attica church who had done it twice before her 16th birthday. Imaginary Garden With Real Toads’ Magaly asked us to write about hair jewelry. This sprang to mind as a survivor adornment, as one friend told me, “until the real thing comes along!”
Peace, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
Roger Green
Ever since I found that Hello Kitty is a real girl, it freaks me out!
sharplittlepencil
No way. You’re kidding, right? I thought it was designed by a young woman, but eeew, that’s a step beyond Boopland. A bridge too far for me, ha ha.
Sherry Blue Sky
Wow, Amy, that is a cool organization, addressing what must be very difficult for young girls to go through. I love the girl in the poem’s inspection of herself before the party. This is lovely.
sharplittlepencil
Yes, Sherry, I just got back after creating a logo of sorts for our Sunday services, a bunch of dandelions on a sea of green. Hope they like it at church!
I think most young women spend that inordinate amount of time before a party, and boys too… some are secure enough to toss on a jacket and go, but I identify with the one who is already self-conscious from chemo…
magalyguerrero
I LOVE this, Amy. I’ve been donating my hair for seven years or so. I’ve received pictures from two young women who got some of my hair. It was one of the best feelings I’ve ever experienced.
sharplittlepencil
Magaly, my hair has been short since childhood, and it never grows out past my shoulders. I am so happy for women – and men – who are able to grow it out long. And what an amazing experience to see the fruits of your labors! Bless you!
J Cosmo Newbery
Sweet.
sharplittlepencil
Thanks, Cos
Helen
Wonderful ~ All Clear Party!
sharplittlepencil
Amen, right??
fishhawk
“Sharp Little Pencil” has been included in our Sites To See #395. Be assured that we hope this helps to point many new visitors in your direction.
http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2014/09/sites-to-see-395.html
sharplittlepencil
Cool, thanks!
speedyrabbit
lovely poem,xx Rachel and Speedy
Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
What a beautiful way to help someone .. if you loose your hair, especially if you are young it’s like something that is gone from you… The Hello Kitty really stung. In the opposite direction you have hair jewelry, where poor girls could sell their hair to make intricate adornment.. I have seen it done, in some part of Sweden the tradition is still kept, now most women would donate their hair to make jewelry for themselves though.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_jewellery
sharplittlepencil
Bjorn, your comment about Hello Kitty was interesting, since it’s a ubiquitous form of expression here among young girls. I’ve known about hair jewelry for a long time, but honestly, I didn’t know it was still made. Interesting. I do have many locks of Riley’s very first haircut when she was two, and they are packed away. I’ll check the link, thanks! Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Came to see how you are, kiddo, as things are quiet in here….hope you are enjoying the golden September days…….just wanted to say hi!
kaykuala
Apparently it is big industry in populous countries like China and India! Wigs can be expensive but the raw material most times are thrown away unless garnered by enterprising individuals. Great lines Amelita!
Hank
sharplittlepencil
Thanks, my buddy. Coming to see you now. You know, I think the “real-feel” hair on toy cats from China might just be skinned cats. Ewwwwwwwww.