Ottis O’Riley
By Courtney Cournan
Every three weeks on the dot I hear my mother say,
You look homeless child go get a hair cut today,
As I obey her commands and do as I am told,
I venture to the nearby barber to get the mow,
I tell her short over here and same over there,
But for the middle make it stand straight in the air,
She looked pretty shocked — a well dressed boy like me,
Asking her to take the side parted hair to a Mohawk frenzy,
She did as she was told and I paid her extra for no comments,
But walking the neighborhood streets people were astonished,
Some glanced as I passed; others pointed in front,
How did little Ottis Riley get into this funk?
As I swung open the front door I saw mom doing the dishes,
I slammed it behind me and caused a uneasiness,
She dropped her plate smashing hard on the floor,
Her hands covering her mouth splashing up soap and more,
The screams still echoed deep in my head,
Hours later as I lay bald in my bed.
Bio: My name is Courtney Cournan; I am a twenty three year old dental assistant and college student. My goals in life are to become a dental hygienist and travel the world with missionary’s using my medical knowledge and religious beliefs to help others. I currently have about four more years of school until I will accomplish this goal, due to only going part time and working full time. I am proud of myself for getting threw this semester, English has never been one of my strong suits but I gave it my all and it turns out I truly took a big interest in poetry! It makes all the difference when you have a great professor. I hope you enjoy the poem!