no - wasn't born with it.
but i was born naked and unclothed,
and i learned how to wear those too.
everywhere i go:
"my that's bold"
"i love that color"
"hey, red"

when i stand out now
it is only because i spent so much time
standing IN.
i go on a stream of mental rolodex
--- dark and distant from here and now
find the next rabbit hole
and look back at the reflection
of my old eyes, sometimes.
underneath all that hair
what i used to wear as a mask
i vaguely remember what it was like to be trapped,
shy and embarrassed of my mouth
like beestung black honey,
fearful of where my eyes were directed when i spoke,
swimming under the red veils of discomfort
i don’t know why it even occurs to me now.
it grew VERY long.
i cut it.
i cut it again to a pixie.
it has grown back,
long again,
like a ruby pelt.

But all girls should learn these things:
How to eat pomegranate without a knife.
How to be a feared goddess.
How to look stately and undaunted
when the boy covets your affections
How to open ketchup packets
. . . with your teeth.

Go readily from auburn to “Henna”
to “Red Penny”
to “Hibiscus”
to “Malaysian Cherry”
to "Scarlet Shimmer"

learn to wear RED