shaved for battle…
used to be a rallying cry.

now, it’s half-assed half-blind
redemption song.  you laugh
to see what’s covered you up
as the locks hit the floor
and you’re hoping the old you
was underneath it all along

but you look a little balder
than you’d hoped, a little less
warrior and a little more cueball,
you can see how your greater silver
makes your brown look like less.

you’re shaved for a new battle
and the breeze in your scalp
makes you cooler,
in temperature if not in style;

if you’re going to lose the war,
you might as well get to the front
in comfort.