Hair Grows Back

They handed me the scarf
I asked for the clippers first

The nurse held out the scarf like sorrow
I asked for the clippers first
If it's leaving, it leaves on my terms —
I have survived a whole lot worse
Bathroom light, my head shining
My sister crying in the hall
I laughed until she started laughing —
Loudest laugh I can recall

Twelve rounds of poison Tuesdays
I out-stubborned every one

Hair grows back — so did I (so did I)
Stronger at the roots this time
Met the mirror bald and laughing —
Hair grows back, and so did I

So did I! (so did I)
So did I! (so did I)
Stronger at the roots —
Hair grows back, so did I

The first curl showed up in April
Soft as anything brand new
My daughter called it a seedling:
"Mama, it came back for you"
The wristband lives inside a cup
On the shelf above the sink
Not a souvenir of sickness —
Proof I'm tougher than I think

A woman at the market asked me
My secret, scarves undone
I said "honey, it's not the hair —
It's the head it's growing on"

Hair grows back — so did I (so did I)
Stronger at the roots this time
Met the mirror bald and laughing —
Hair grows back, and so did I

So did I! (so did I)
So did I! (so did I)
Inch by inch, curl by curl
So did I