The Hairdresser - By Ellie Araujo

Written By: Ellie Araujo

Category: Poem

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the evocative poem "The Hairdresser," Ellie Araujo explores the intricate tapestry of identity, rebellion, and transformation through the metaphor of hair. As part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar, this piece dives deep into the historical and cultural significance of hair, reflecting on its power and symbolism. Ellie's work invites readers to ponder the stories hair tells, transcending mere aesthetics and becoming a medium of expression and defiance.

About the Work

Ellie Araujo's "The Hairdresser" weaves a rich narrative, using vivid imagery to explore hair as a symbol of identity, resistance, and heritage. The poem captures the universal longing for transformation and the cultural narratives intertwined with hair. With a reflective and poignant tone, Ellie portrays hair as a witness to life's journey, embodying both personal and collective history. Through masterful storytelling, the poem speaks to the silent yet profound language of hair.

Ellie Araujo

Original Submission by Ellie Araujo

The hairdresser

I kiss my newborn son’s hair,

soft as breath,

before I ever understood whom he would become.

Scissors in my hands,

eyes meeting mine in the mirror,

strangers sitting before me

slowly becoming stories.

And as always,

it begins with hair.

It never was just hair.

It was power,

promise,

rebellion,

seduction,

identity.

Long before mirrors and salons,

hair told stories.

It spoke

before mouths dared to.

In ancient firelight

it shimmered,

braided with beauty,

status,

desire.

Perfumed.

Crowned.

Protected.

Long hair moved through kingdoms

like silk and river water,

catching the gaze of men

and the envy of women.

A halo

around an ordinary face,

made almost divine.

And then came rebellion.

Hair worn long when forbidden.

Hair cut short when demanded.

Ducktails slicked with grease,

boys on motorbikes,

combs in back pockets,

hair shouting before speech.

I will not fall in line.

Teenage boys clinging to length

like a final act of defiance

before uniforms

and sharp scissors.

Hair begins tenderly at birth

We kiss it instinctively

as if the soul lingers there.

Soft, and pure.

We marvel at childhood colours,

gold, auburn, ebony, blonde,

straight, curly.

We part it carefully,

tie ribbons into little girls’ hair,

and hold onto boys’ curls

until school rules

and scissors intervene.

And texture becomes longing.

Straight hair wants curls.

Curls want straightness.

We spend lifetimes

chasing what we do not have.

The hairdresser

Curling.

Straightening.

Taming.

Transforming.

Forever searching

inside the mirror.

And some men

watch their hair retreat slowly,

strand by strand,

as though time were visible.

They joke about it,

polish their heads,

but glance at old photographs

searching quietly

for the boy

they once were.

And girls with tight coils

learn too young

that beauty can hurt.

Braids pulled tight.

Heat.

Chemicals.

Weaves stitched into roots.

Yet those curls

hold history,

heritage,

resilience.

A beauty

all their own.

Hair catches light.

It catches wind.

It refuses invisibility.

It falls across eyes

like quiet defiance.

It becomes armour,

invitation,

protest.

Freshly washed hair

carries its own language.

Sweet.

Clean.

Familiar.

The scent of care.

Of tenderness.

Of being seen.

And hair has changed

as the world has changed.

Once long hair belonged to women

and short hair to men.

Now those lines are

blurred.

Hair no longer asks permission.

It belongs

to whoever claims it.

Identity widens.

Gender softens.

Hair becomes freedom.

Because hair remembers.

It grows through joy and grief,

through love and loss.

It bears silent witness

to who we were

and who we are becoming.

Even in death,

it does not leave at once.

I stood over my mother’s hair at death

and stroked it

Soft and silky still

as if memory might still live there.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, serves as a vibrant platform for writers and poets worldwide to showcase their creativity. This prestigious event celebrates diverse voices and stories, inviting participants to push the boundaries of literary expression. The competition embraces a wide array of themes, encouraging submissions that resonate with authenticity and innovation.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ellie Araujo for sharing "The Hairdresser" with us as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your powerful exploration of identity and transformation through the lens of hair is both insightful and moving. Thank you for contributing your voice to this global celebration of creativity.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.