Cuts Uncruel by Noel Sloboda

THE

OKLAHOMA

REVIEW

Volume 8 | Issue 1 | Spring 2007

Poetry

Print version

Janet Butler
Death in the Mountains

LeAnna Covalt
A Few Days after Your Fiftieth Birthday
          Pagosa Springs

Roger Jones
Long Ago Dream of a Bad Love Affair
Coming Attractions, 1960


Jason W. Selby
      Love in the Time of Colonialism

Noel Sloboda
Surfaces
Salesman of the Quarter

           tolbert
           ghosts
laughter

Anne Whitehouse
Blessings IX
Curses II

Noel Sloboda

Cuts Uncruel

Before discovering texture
Hermione had gone for color
turned hated blonde locks
red, black and blue
for a spell. Then she found
love in a buzz cut, bristles
tiny dotting the head
of Nick, the ex-Marine. He
hadn’t lasted longer
than any other lovers
yet she couldn’t get over
the texture of prickling
hair under her meaty palms.

Late one sleepless night
three Stolis couldn’t end
she took a straight razor out
in the backyard, to avoid a mess
in the dark began to cut.

Bent forward she felt
hair falling, invisible to all
except the man on the moon.
After shearing the bulk
she bore down hard
enough to make herself
wince. Later she’d go inside
find a mirror by daylight
but for now she was happy
just touching herself, free
from fake hues, running
hands back and forth over her
uneven, newly naked skull.

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Cameron University

The views expressed in The Oklahoma Review do not necessarily correspond to those of Cameron University, and the university's support of this magazine should not be seen as an endorsement of any philosophy other than faith in -- and support of -- free expression. The content of this publication may not be reproduced without the written consent of The Oklahoma Review or the authors. © 2007 The Oklahoma Review

THE OKLAHOMA REVIEW Volume 8 \| Issue 1 \| Spring 2007	Poetry
Print version Janet Butler Death in the Mountains LeAnna Covalt A Few Days after Your Fiftieth Birthday Pagosa Springs Roger Jones Long Ago Dream of a Bad Love Affair Coming Attractions, 1960 Jason W. Selby Love in the Time of Colonialism Noel Sloboda Surfaces Salesman of the Quarter tolbert ghosts laughter Anne Whitehouse Blessings IX Curses II	Noel Sloboda Cuts Uncruel Before discovering texture Hermione had gone for color turned hated blonde locks red, black and blue for a spell. Then she found love in a buzz cut, bristles tiny dotting the head of Nick, the ex-Marine. He hadn’t lasted longer than any other lovers yet she couldn’t get over the texture of prickling hair under her meaty palms. Late one sleepless night three Stolis couldn’t end she took a straight razor out in the backyard, to avoid a mess in the dark began to cut. Bent forward she felt hair falling, invisible to all except the man on the moon. After shearing the bulk she bore down hard enough to make herself wince. Later she’d go inside find a mirror by daylight but for now she was happy just touching herself, free from fake hues, running hands back and forth over her uneven, newly naked skull.	Home Nonfiction Fiction Poetry Contributors Staff and Guidelines Past Issues Links Cameron University
	The views expressed in The Oklahoma Review do not necessarily correspond to those of Cameron University, and the university's support of this magazine should not be seen as an endorsement of any philosophy other than faith in -- and support of -- free expression. The content of this publication may not be reproduced without the written consent of The Oklahoma Review or the authors. © 2007 The Oklahoma Review